Gunman Opens Fire at White House Correspondents' Dinner; Trump Unharmed, Suspect in Custody

The president was unharmed and evacuated from the scene. The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, was taken into custody and faces charges including assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon. Officials stated he acted alone and was a guest at the hotel.

Police recovered a long gun and shell casings from the scene.

Guests inside the ballroom, including journalists, celebrities and officials, heard what some described as five to eight gunshots while dining on a spring pea and burrata salad. Panic ensued as attendees ducked under tables, with audible gasps and yells to take cover.

A chant of “God Bless America” broke out as agents swarmed the stage. Vice President JD Vance was removed first, followed by Trump and first lady Melania Trump. Trump briefly stumbled while being escorted offstage but was assisted by his security detail.

He was held briefly in a secure presidential suite at the hotel before returning to the White House.

“When you’re impactful, they go after you. When you’re not impactful, they leave you alone," President Trump said at the White House two hours later.”

The Secret Service's counterassault team responded immediately, tackling the gunman to the ground. The injured officer was recovering after being hit in his vest. FBI Director Kash Patel announced the agency is examining evidence and interviewing witnesses, urging anyone with information to come forward.

Outside the hotel, National Guard members and authorities secured the area, with helicopters overhead. The event, meant to honor journalism and the First Amendment, was initially set to resume, with staff refolding napkins and refilling water glasses, but was ultimately canceled.

Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents' Association, stated it would be rescheduled within 30 days. Trump told reporters he hoped for a rescheduling soon and emphasized the need for heightened security. He described the incident as the third threat against him since 2024, referencing a prior assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, that injured him and killed a firefighter.

and Leaders House Speaker

Mike Johnson, who attended with his wife Kelly, said they were praying for the country. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote on social media that violence and chaos in America must end. Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, also a guest, heard a pop and noted the climate of threats faced by public figures.

Oz Pearlman, the mentalist performing at the event, described to CNN's Dana Bash how Secret Service agents rushed Trump off the stage after the shots. Video posted by Trump showed the suspect running past barricades as agents pursued him. The dinner marked Trump's first attendance as president, having skipped it during his first term and the first year of his second.

He arrived to “Hail to the Chief” and greeted journalists, including White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. The event featured entertainment by Pearlman instead of a comedian, amid ongoing tensions between the administration and the press.

The Washington Hilton has hosted the dinner for years, with security typically focused on the ballroom. , leading to security enhancements like the presidential suite used Saturday. This year's gathering was scrutinized due to Trump's contentious relationship with the media, including legal fights with outlets like The New York Times and restrictions on press access.

” Trump had attended as a guest in 2011 and 2015, once roasted by President Barack Obama. FBI officials believe the gunman was a lone wolf, with no stated motive or intended target yet disclosed. The ballroom was evacuated, and attendees were allowed to leave but not reenter as National Guard took positions inside.

Servers had prepared to resume, adjusting the teleprompter for Trump's scheduled remarks, but the night ended in disorder.