Trump Evacuated After Shooting Near White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Suspect Identified And Apprehended

President Donald Trump and other top U.S. officials were evacuated Saturday night after gunfire erupted near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, triggering a swift response from Secret Service and law enforcement.

The incident occurred at a Washington, D.C. hotel where the annual dinner was being held. Authorities said the shooting took place near the main magnetometer screening area outside the ballroom where Trump and hundreds of guests were gathered.

Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement that “the president and the first lady are safe along all protectees,” adding that law enforcement was actively assessing the situation. One suspect was taken into custody.

Trump later confirmed on Truth Social that the shooter had been apprehended. “Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job,” he wrote. “They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON’ but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement.”

Journalist Karol Markowicz reported that the suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, and that he is in custody.

A Secret Service agent was shot by the assailant, but was protected by a bulletproof vest and will recover, Fox News’ Sean Hannity said later Saturday night.

Despite Trump’s initial desire to continue the event, authorities ultimately called off the remainder of the evening. “The evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again,” Trump added.

There were no immediate reports of serious injuries. A CNN reporter said a law enforcement officer “took a shot to the vest,” but officials later indicated there were no injuries among attendees. White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang confirmed that no one at the event was harmed.

Eyewitness accounts described a chaotic scene as gunshots rang out. CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer said he saw the shooter fire a “major weapon,” discharging “at least half a dozen shots” after he stepped out of the ballroom. Guests inside the venue were instructed to take cover, with many ducking under tables as security personnel rushed in.

“The Secret Service and other authorities swarmed the banquet hall as guests ducked under tables by the hundreds,” one account noted, with shouts of “Out of the way, sir!” and warnings to get down echoing through the room.

A volunteer told the NY Post that the gunman assembled a long weapon in an unsecured room near the entrance, reportedly out of view of security, event. The withess, Helen Mabus, described the space as a bar cart storage area with no security presence, where the suspect removed parts from a bag, assembled the weapon, then moved quickly toward the ballroom entrance.

Mabus said the gunman ran toward the stairs leading to the ballroom and opened fire in multiple directions, with at least ten shots heard as panic erupted among guests and staff.

The high-profile event was attended by senior administration officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Authorities have not yet released an official motive. Trump said he planned to hold a press conference at the White House later Saturday night.