Updated at\u00a002.13 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n We will be closing this live blog shortly, but live coverage will resume in the US morning.<\/p>\n You can follow all our coverage here<\/a>:<\/p>\n Share<\/a>The \u2018multi-layered\u2019 security measures in place at the dinner<\/p>\n The suspect detained after a shooting is believed to have made it past the outermost layer of security at the event because he was a guest of the hotel, officials said.<\/p>\n Security for the annual event is always tight when the president attends and law enforcement argued that their \u201cmulti-layered protection\u201d at the Washington Hilton worked as designed.<\/p>\n Jeffery Carroll, the interim Metropolitan police chief, told reporters said investigators believe the suspect was staying in the hotel and that appears to be how he was able to enter the hotel at the time of the event.<\/p>\n The hotel was closed to the public from 2pm in anticipation of the dinner, which began at 8pm.<\/p>\n Access to the hotel was restricted to hotel guests, people with tickets to the dinner itself, an invitation to one of the receptions that are held at the hotel before or after the dinner, or documents from the White House Correspondents\u2019 Association indicating affiliation with the dinner.<\/p>\n Officers respond to the shooting incident at the Washington Hilton ballroom. Photograph: Tom Brenner\/AP<\/p>\n The 2,300 guests at the event in the hotel\u2019s cavernous ballroom had to pass through several additional checks to enter the room, including showing tickets to volunteers and hotel staff and passing through magnetometers.<\/p>\n Inside the ballroom for the dinner itself there were further security measures. The Secret Service maintained another perimeter around the president that included a buffer separating him and others seated at the head table from the rest of the attendees.<\/p>\n Secret Service agents were at their posts in front of the stage and in its wings, as were heavily armed counter-assault agents ready to respond to threats.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.05 EDT<\/p>\n In pictures: Chaos as Trump whisked from press dinner after shots fired<\/p>\n Our picture editors have put together a gallery of the scenes that unfolded at the Washington Hilton ballroom.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.17 EDT<\/p>\n Summary of what we know so far<\/p>\n Here is a wrap of what unfolded during a dramatic night in Washington DC:<\/p>\n Donald and Melania Trump were evacuated from the White House correspondents\u2019 dinner on Saturday evening after the event at the Washington Hilton was interrupted by gunfire.<\/p>\n Hundreds of guests hid under tables in the ballroom as US Secret Service agents with guns drawn rushed reporters out of the room and mentioned \u201cshots fired\u201d.<\/p>\n The Metropolitan police department\u2019s Jeff Carroll said a suspect \u201ccharged a US Secret Service checkpoint\u201d armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, before he was tackled to the ground and handcuffed. He appeared to have been a \u201clone\u201d gunman, Carroll said.<\/p>\n The US attorney for the District of Columbia said the suspect had been charged with felony firearm and assault charges.<\/p>\n The shooting suspect was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, according to the Associated Press and multiple news outlets.<\/p>\n DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said the suspect was transported to a local hospital where he was being \u201cevaluated\u201d.<\/p>\n News crews and officers gathered outside the California home of the suspect.<\/p>\n Trump later said one officer was shot but was \u201csaved by the fact that he was wearing an obviously very good bulletproof vest\u201d. He praised the law enforcement response.<\/p>\n The president said he would have preferred to return to the ballroom to give his speech but said the gala would be rescheduled \u201cwithin 30 days\u201d.<\/p>\n Trump said the Secret Service did a better job than the assassination attempt in Butler. \u201cHe was fast,\u201d Trump said of the suspect.<\/p>\n World leaders condemned <\/a>an act of \u201cpolitical violence\u201d and expressed relief that Trump, officials and journalists were unharmed.<\/p>\n Donald Trump is escorted out as after shots were fired at the dinner event. Photograph: Bo Erickson\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.13 EDT<\/p>\n Timeline of the how the shooting unfolded<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a timeline of the incident at the White House press dinner and its immediate aftermath:<\/p>\n At about 8.35pm ET, guests at the Washington Hilton dinner took cover when shots were heard, video footage showed. Soon after, Secret Service agents rushed towards Donald Trump, escorting the president and his cabinet from the ballroom.<\/p>\n A sole gunman had rushed a Secret Service checkpoint in a lobby, Washington DC<\/a> Mayor Muriel Bowser and interim police chief Jeffery Carroll later told reporters.<\/p>\n The suspect charged the Secret Service checkpoint in the hotel\u2019s lobby area and was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, Carroll said. As the suspect ran through that checkpoint, Secret Service members intercepted him.<\/p>\n A Secret Service agent was injured and transported to a local hospital, the mayor said, adding the suspect was also transferred to a local hospital where he was evaluated.<\/p>\n \u201cWe do know that law enforcement exchanged gunfire with the individual … The suspect in this case, he was not struck by gunfire,\u201d Carroll said. \u201cLaw enforcement … they actually tackled him into the ground and handcuffed him.\u201d<\/p>\n At about 9.17pm, Trump made his first comments after the shooting, saying law enforcement \u201cacted quickly and bravely\u201d. Trump posted on Truth Social that \u201cthe shooter has been apprehended.\u201d Trump said he recommended that the event continue.<\/p>\n About 20 minutes later, Trump posted again, saying law enforcement asked him and others to leave the premises of the venue and that he was complying with that request. The event will be rescheduled \u201cwithin 30 days\u201d, Trump said.<\/p>\n Around 10.30pm, Trump addressed the media in a press conference at the White House, accompanied by the director of the FBI and the acting US attorney general. Trump and other law enforcement officials said preliminary information suggested the suspect was a lone shooter.<\/p>\n Around 11.13pm, Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, told reporters the suspect was being charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n World leaders react to Washington shooting: \u2018Violence must never be the way\u2019<\/p>\n World leaders have condemned an act of \u201cpolitical violence\u201d and expressed relief that Donald Trump, officials and journalists were unharmed after the shooting incident in Washington DC<\/a>.<\/p>\n Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, whose government had been locked in tense trade talks with the US<\/a>, said on X: \u201cI am relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe following reports of gunfire at the White House correspondents\u2019 dinner in Washington tonight.<\/p>\n \u201cPolitical violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event.\u201d<\/p>\n Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum said it was \u201cgood that President Trump and his wife are safe following the recent events\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe send them our respect. Violence must never be the way,\u201d Sheinbaum said.<\/p>\n Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said he was pleased to hear all attendees were safe. \u201cWe applaud the work of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies for their swift action,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.32 EDT<\/p>\n Trump says shooting won\u2019t ‘deter\u2019 him from Iran war<\/p>\n Donald Trump said the shooting at the White House press dinner would not deter him from the Iran war, although he believed the incident was unlikely linked to the conflict.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran. I don\u2019t know if that had anything to do with it, I really don\u2019t think so, based on what we know,\u201d Trump told reporters at the White House after the incident.<\/p>\n But Trump had earlier said that \u201cyou never know\u201d if it could be linked to the Iran war, and said investigators were working on the motive of the shooter who he described as a \u201clone wolf\u201d.<\/p>\n Donald Trump speaks at the White House after the shooting incident. Photograph: Yuri Gripas\/Pool\/Yuri Gripas – Pool\/CNP\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.37 EDT<\/p>\n Trump shares footage of suspected shooter running through checkpoint<\/p>\n CCTV footage from the event that was shared by President Trump on his Truth Social account, showing the alleged shooter running through a security checkpoint.<\/p>\n \u201cHe charged from 50 yards away, so he was very far away from the room. He was moving. He was really moving,\u201d Trump said after the gala dinner was cancelled.<\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.39 EDT<\/p>\n Lawmakers and journalists were in shock after a Washington media tradition turned<\/a> violent<\/a> on Saturday night, halting the White House correspondents\u2019 dinner while the first course of burrata and greens sat on their plates, the Guardian\u2019s Cate Brown writes.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe thought that some of the plates for the dinner fell, and next thing you know, we all went under the table screaming,\u201d said Jamie Raskin, a Maryland congressman who was among the 2,000 attendees gathered to celebrate press freedom. It was the<\/a> first time<\/a> that Donald Trump<\/a> chose to attend the annual Washington event.<\/p>\n Read the full story below.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.49 EDT<\/p>\n Here’s what we know of the shooting incident:<\/p>\n Donald and Melania Trump were evacuated from the White House correspondents\u2019 dinner on Saturday evening after the event was interrupted by loud gunshots.<\/p>\n A suspect was in custody after \u201ccharging\u201d through the security checkpoint and past law enforcement officers stationed at the entrance of the venue, according to law enforcement officials. Security footage shows a man sprinting through the metal detectors, as officers race toward him with their guns drawn. The suspect was not shot but was being evaluated in the hospital. The suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, police said.<\/p>\n The shooting suspect was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, according to the Associated Press and multiple news organizations.<\/p>\n Trump addressed reporters from the White House shortly after the incident and vowed to reschedule the gala.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.38 EDT<\/p>\n Some news crews have gathered outside<\/a> the California home of the suspect, identified by multiple news outlets including the Associated Press as Cole Tomas Allen.<\/p>\n According to local reporters, the suspect is a 31-year-old teacher from Torrance, California.<\/p>\n Officers and news crews gather at an address in Torrance, California. Photograph: Ethan Swope\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.33 EDT<\/p>\n A formal White House \u201clid\u201d was called at 11:19 EST \u2013 a term used by the press office to inform the pool of reporters covering the president that he is not expected to make any further public appearances or remarks that day.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a travel\/photo lid at 11:19 on this shocking and unexpectedly newsy day,\u201d pool reporter Jeff Mordock of the Washington Times wrote in his final note of the evening. \u201cI hope everyone who attended tonight\u2019s WHCA dinner is safe and doing ok.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.21 EDT<\/p>\n House speaker Mike Johnson said on X that he and his wife were at the gala and were \u201cthankful no innocent people were harmed and everyone is now safe\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re grateful as always for the law enforcement and first responders who acted so quickly to bring the situation under control. Praying for our country tonight,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n Mike Johnson is evacuated during the press dinner. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst\/Reuters<\/p>\n Former speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement that it was a \u201cgreat relief\u201d the president, first lady and all attenders were safe \u201cfollowing a terrifying act of violence inside the venue\u201d.<\/p>\n She added: \u201cAs someone whose family has suffered political violence, my prayers are with the injured officer and all those affected by the trauma of these horrible incidents.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.27 EDT<\/p>\n Carroll, the DC police chief, said the investigation was \u201cpreliminary\u201d but that investigators believed the suspect did fire a shot. While the suspect is being evaluated in the hospital, Carroll said the suspect was not shot.<\/p>\n Carroll said it was too soon to know who the suspect was targeting or what his motive was. But he said investigators believe the suspect was registered as a guest at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the gala took place.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.38 EDT<\/p>\n Suspect faces preliminary firearms and assault charges, US attorney for DC says<\/p>\n Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, said the defendant has been charged with felony firearms and assault charges.<\/p>\n Pirro was a guest in the ballroom when the man charged through the checkpoint.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause that checkpoint worked, there was no who was injured,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.22 EDT<\/p>\n Washington DC mayor says suspected shooter taken to a hospital<\/p>\n DC Mayor Muriel Bowser is speaking in DC where she gave an update on the incident and ensuing investigation. She said the suspect was transported to a local hospital where he was being \u201cevaluated\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have no reason to believe at this time that anyone else was involved,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Jeff Carroll, the interim chief of police of the Metropolitan police department, said he appeared to have been a \u201clone\u201d gunman. He said the suspect \u201ccharged a US Secret Service checkpoint\u201d at the Washington Hilton. He said the suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives.<\/p>\n There \u201cdoes not appear to be any sort of danger to the public\u201d at this point,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n DC Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks to reporters at the Washington Hilton. Photograph: Luke Johnson\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.23 EDT<\/p>\n Shooting suspect named as Cole Tomas Allen, according to Associated Press<\/p>\n The shooting suspect was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, the Associated Press is reporting, citing two law enforcement officials.<\/p>\n Trump said FBI agents were searching the suspect\u2019s home in California.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.18 EDT<\/p>\n The president has finished taking questions for the evening and promised more details to come.<\/p>\n During his remarks, he said the rescheduled gala would be \u201cbetter\u201d and \u201csafer\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI see so many tuxedos and beautiful dresses,\u201d Trump told the hastily assembled press corps. \u201cIt was a little different evening than we thought. But we\u2019re going to do it again.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Donald](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1904.jpg\")
Donald Trump is escorted out as after shots were fired at the dinner event. Photograph: Bo Erickson\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Trump](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/white_house_press_dinner_shooter--8e5013a8-8389-4e1a-b7e1-f599255e11ca-1.0.0000000.jpg\")
Trump releases video of suspected shooterShare<\/a><\/p>\n