Donald and Melania Trump were evacuated from the White House correspondents' dinner on Saturday evening after gunfire interrupted the event at the Washington Hilton. Hundreds of guests hid under tables as US Secret Service agents with drawn weapons rushed reporters out, mentioning shots fired.
The Metropolitan Police Department's Jeff Carroll said a suspect charged a Secret Service checkpoint armed with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives before being tackled and handcuffed. The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, faces felony firearm and assault charges.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed the suspect was taken to hospital for evaluation. Officials believe he gained access because he was a hotel guest, bypassing the outermost security layer. The hotel had been closed to the public from 2pm, with access restricted to guests, ticket holders and accredited individuals.
President Trump later said one officer was shot but saved by a bulletproof vest, praising law enforcement. He said the dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days and that the Secret Service performed better than during the Butler assassination attempt.
World leaders condemned the act of political violence and expressed relief that Trump, officials and journalists were unharmed. The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.
