By Mike Bain/cvnznews.com
President Donald Trump was rushed off stage by Secret Service agents after gunfire erupted at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, prompting a rapid evacuation of the president, Vice President JD Vance, and multiple Cabinet members. Officials later confirmed all senior leaders are safe.
The incident unfolded at the Washington Hilton — the same venue where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981 — just moments after the dinner programme began. According to pool reporters, several Secret Service agents shouted “shots fired” as they moved to shield the president and first lady.
Authorities say the alleged gunman is 31‑year‑old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, who was staying at the hotel as a registered guest. He was subdued at a security checkpoint just outside the ballroom and is now in custody while receiving medical evaluation.
Police and Secret Service officials confirmed Allen was carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives, raising immediate questions about how he reached the secure perimeter. Investigators are reviewing hotel surveillance footage to determine his movements before the attack.
Secret Service Officer Shot at Close Range
One Secret Service officer was struck at extremely close range but survived due to his bullet‑proof vest. Trump later said the officer was in “great shape” and praised agents for acting “quickly and bravely”. bbc.com
The suspect was not hit by gunfire during the confrontation.
Guests described a sudden eruption of panic as shots rang out. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, who was only “a few feet away” from the gunman, said on air that the attacker was armed with “a very, very serious weapon”.
Attendees ducked under tables as agents swept the room and evacuated senior officials. The dinner was immediately cancelled.
Within the hour, Trump returned to the White House and addressed reporters from the briefing room. He thanked the White House Correspondents’ Association president Weijia Jiang and joked she had been preparing a “killer question”, drawing brief applause from the press corps. bbc.com
Trump said he believed the attacker acted alone, describing him as a “lone wolf” individual. He also reflected on the risks of the presidency, noting that “there aren’t many professions more dangerous”.
The first lady, who was present during the shooting, made a rare appearance in the briefing room. Trump said she “knew right away” what was happening
Historic Parallels With the Reagan Shooting
The attack’s location immediately drew comparisons to the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, who was shot outside the same hotel after a speaking engagement. A plaque still marks the site.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the suspect will face federal charges including:
- Assault on federal officers with a dangerous weapon
- Use of a firearm during a violent crime
He is expected to be arraigned in federal court on Monday.
Despite the disruption, Trump said the Correspondents’ Dinner will be held again within 30 days, insisting the shooting “won’t stop regular events”. Secret Service officials echoed that sentiment, saying they “do this every day” when assessing threats.
