US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were evacuated from the White House correspondents' dinner on Saturday evening after gunfire erupted at the Washington Hilton. The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, is in custody and faces charges including two counts of felony firearms and assault, according to US Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
The incident occurred as guests were beginning dinner. Journalists and officials ducked under tables as security agents rushed the president and cabinet members out of the ballroom. The FBI confirmed a suspect was detained, and Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser stated that a sole gunman rushed at the Secret Service in the hotel lobby, with no indication of other individuals involved.
Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll said the suspect fired a shot and was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and knives. He was believed to be a hotel guest. The suspect was taken to a local hospital for evaluation but did not appear to have been struck by gunfire. A motive has not yet been established.
President Trump later praised the Secret Service at a White House press briefing, noting that an agent was struck by a bullet that was stopped by a ballistic vest. He described the violence as occurring 'quite far away' and called for a more secure ballroom at the White House. Weijia Jiang, president of the correspondents' dinner, announced plans to reschedule the event within 30 days.
Witnesses described scenes of panic. CNN's Wolf Blitzer reported seeing the gunman on the ground after police subdued him. Congressman Jamie Raskin said a Secret Service agent threw him to the ground, and he heard loud noises. Kerry Kennedy recalled Raskin whispering reassurances under the table. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed gratitude that no innocent people were harmed.
