US President Donald Trump has confirmed that a law enforcement officer was shot at close range during a security breach at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, though the officer is not believed to be critically injured.
Speaking at a hastily arranged press conference after the incident, Trump said he initially mistook the sound of gunfire for a tray being dropped before realizing the seriousness of the situation. He described the venue as “not a particularly secure” facility and announced plans to reschedule the event within a month despite the disruption.
Authorities disclosed that the suspect, believed to have been a guest at the hotel, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and knives. He is expected to be arraigned in court on Monday on charges related to firearms possession and assault.
Washington police chief Jeffrey Carroll said officers engaged the suspect in a gunfight during the incident. A US Secret Service Uniformed Division officer was struck in his protective vest and transported to a nearby hospital, where he is reportedly in stable condition and in good spirits.
Investigators have extended their probe beyond Washington, with federal agents seen outside a residence in Torrance, California, late Saturday. The area around the property was cordoned off as part of ongoing inquiries.
While authorities have not officially confirmed the suspect’s identity, several US media outlets have identified him as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, reportedly from Torrance in Los Angeles County. Officials said they could not verify the information at the time.
The attack caused panic inside the venue, with heavily armed tactical teams moving swiftly to secure the area. Trump was evacuated from the scene, while cabinet members and other high-profile guests were escorted out amid confusion and fear. Police quickly surrounded the hotel, and helicopters were deployed overhead to monitor the situation.
The incident occurred shortly after the welcome speech and during dinner, just before the president was scheduled to address attendees. One administration official was heard alerting others to “shots fired upstairs” as security personnel rushed guests to safety.
The security scare adds to a series of threats previously faced by Trump. In 2024, he survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman opened fire, killing one attendee and injuring the president. In a separate incident months later, another armed individual was apprehended near a golf course in West Palm Beach after being spotted by Secret Service agents.
The Washington Hilton, the venue for the dinner, has historical significance as the site of the 1981 shooting of former US President Ronald Reagan.
The White House Correspondents’ Association had invited Trump to this year’s event despite his longstanding criticism of the media. The annual dinner, often referred to as the “Nerd Prom,” traditionally gathers journalists, political figures, and celebrities to celebrate press freedom while raising funds for scholarships and awards.
Unlike most US presidents over the past century, Trump had not attended the event during his time in office. This year’s edition also broke tradition by not featuring a comedian, a customary highlight where light-hearted jokes are typically exchanged between entertainers and the president.
Gunfire Disrupts White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Officer Injured
