Trump, JD Vance Evacuated As Shots Fired At White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Gunshots rang out late Saturday at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., triggering panic and a swift security response as a suspect was taken into custody.

The incident occurred at the Washington Hilton, where hundreds of journalists, government officials and celebrities had gathered for the high-profile event. President Donald Trump was in attendance for the first time as president, alongside First Lady Melania Trump and Vice-President JD Vance.

According to authorities, a suspected gunman attempted to force his way through security checkpoints and metal detectors in the hotel foyer at approximately 00:45 GMT. Witnesses reported hearing multiple loud bangs, prompting United States Secret Service agents to immediately evacuate the president and other top officials from the venue.

An officer was shot at close range during the confrontation, but survived after his bulletproof vest absorbed the impact. The injured officer is reported to be in stable condition.

Police identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California. Washington, D.C. Police Chief Jeffery W Carroll said Allen was a registered guest at the hotel, adding that his room has been secured as part of the ongoing investigations.

Allen is expected to face multiple charges, including the use of a firearm during a crime of violence, when he appears in court on Monday.

Despite the chaos, many attendees remained inside the ballroom for nearly an hour before authorities cleared the area. Security presence across the U.S. capital was heightened following the incident, though officials said there was no immediate indication of a broader threat.

Reacting afterward, President Trump reflected on the risks surrounding public office, telling reporters, “I can’t imagine there’s any profession that’s more dangerous.” His remarks came amid what observers describe as a troubling pattern of security threats in recent years, including a 2024 shooting attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The incident also revived memories of the Attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan, which occurred at the same hotel on March 30, 1981. 

Then-President Ronald Reagan was shot and seriously wounded as he exited the venue. He survived after emergency surgery, though others including Press Secretary James Brady sustained life-altering injuries.