The US president said the shooter was apprehended and praised Secret Service for acting “quickly and bravely”
Loud bangs ripped through the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, sending guests diving for cover as Secret Service agents with guns drawn stormed the room, shouting, “Shots fired!”
The annual black-tie gathering was thrown into chaos as President Donald Trump and other top officials were rushed out under heavy security.
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended,” Trump later wrote on Truth Social, adding that the first lady, the vice president, and all Cabinet members were “in perfect condition.”
The gunman, armed with multiple weapons, was tackled after he allegedly shot at an officer at close range and attempted to run past a security checkpoint toward the main hall.
The suspected shooter, Cole Allen, has told law enforcement that he wanted to attack Trump officials, CBS News reports, citing two sources.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said she was relieved to learn that Trump and the first lady “are doing well after the recent events.”
“We send our respect. Violence should never be the way,” she added.
Videos on social media show a heavy police presence in Torrance, California, the home town of suspected shooter Cole Allen.
A video posted by CBS News anchor Tony Dokoupil shows senior staff and Cabinet members being evacuated from the venue, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Alina Habba, Todd Blanche, Stephen Miller, Katie Miller, and Pete Hegseth.
Attendees can be heard shouting “God bless America” and “USA, USA” as the group is escorted out.
Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk – executive director of Turning Point USA and a prominent supporter of Donald Trump, who was shot and killed at an event in Utah last year – was also attending the event.
Footage circulating on social media shows her visibly distressed as she is escorted away, saying: “I just want to go home.”
Donald Trump described the presidency as a “dangerous profession,” saying that “no country is immune” to political violence.
“It comes with the territory,” he said, claiming he was targeted for his policies. “We’re going to continue to do a great job. That’s all I can do,” he added.
