President Donald Trump and others present at the White House Correspondents' Dinner were evacuated from the venue late Saturday after gunshots rang out. The incident disrupted the annual gathering, sending attendees scrambling and prompting an impromptu press briefing by the President from the White House.
A 31-year-old man, identified as Cole Allen from Torrance, California, is in custody following the shooting. He is reportedly facing charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer. Authorities say Allen admitted to targeting Trump administration officials.
One US Secret Service officer sustained injuries from the gunfire and was later released from the hospital. Law enforcement officials also reportedly fired shots inside the ballroom during the security response. The suspect, who was not previously known to D.C. police, was allegedly armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.
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President Trump stated he insisted on remaining at the event, saying he "fought like hell to stay," but was ultimately persuaded by law enforcement to leave. He expressed that the shooter "looked pretty evil when he was down." The President indicated he was unaware of any specific threats prior to the event.
The White House Correspondents' Association dinner, a prominent event bringing together journalists and political figures, was held at the Washington Hilton. Attendees noted unusually tight security this year. The incident marks a stark interruption to a night that was significant for President Trump's attendance as commander-in-chief. He vowed to reschedule the dinner within 30 days. Questions have arisen regarding the security protocols at the hotel and how the suspect managed to bring weapons into the premises.
