Gunshots erupted Saturday night at the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel, prompting the evacuation of President Donald Trump and hundreds of guests. The incident occurred shortly after the welcoming speech.
Authorities reported that a sole gunman, armed with a shotgun and handgun, rushed through a security checkpoint in the hotel lobby. Secret Service agents and law enforcement exchanged gunfire with the suspect and apprehended him. A uniformed Secret Service officer was struck in his vest but is in stable condition. The suspect was taken to a hospital for evaluation and is in custody.
Guests, including President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, were swiftly evacuated from the ballroom. Authorities confirmed no dignitaries or gala guests were harmed. Investigations into how the weapon was brought into the hotel are ongoing.
US media identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California. He is expected to face federal charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer. The motivation behind the attack remains unclear, though President Trump described the gunman as potentially acting alone and being "sick."