US President Donald Trump was evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night after multiple shots were reportedly fired during the high-profile event attended by journalists, politicians and celebrities.
According to US authorities, the shooting took place outside the ballroom where Trump and guests were seated. The US Secret Service confirmed that one suspect is in custody and “alive”, contradicting earlier reports that the alleged gunman had been killed.
Trump later addressed the nation, saying he, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and cabinet officials were safe following the incident. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were also present and evacuated from the venue, as reported by the Hindustan Times.
Witnesses at the dinner reported hearing between “five to eight shots” during the chaotic moments that unfolded at the event, which hosted hundreds of influential figures from politics, media and entertainment.
Hours later, Trump shared visuals on social media allegedly showing the suspect in custody. Another video posted by the president appeared to show the individual running through a security checkpoint before being detained by authorities.
Speaking during a press briefing at the White House, Trump said the suspect was from California and had “multiple weapons” during the incident.
According to the Hindustan Times, the suspect has been identified by multiple US media outlets as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California. Authorities have not yet officially confirmed his identity. Far-right activist Laura Loomer claimed Allen was a registered Democrat who donated to Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign, though those claims remain unverified.
Unconfirmed social media accounts believed to belong to Allen have circulated online, suggesting he studied mechanical engineering at California Institute of Technology, earned a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills and previously held a research fellowship at NASA, the Hindustan Times has reported.
FBI agents were seen outside a residence in Torrance late Saturday as investigators continued probing the suspect’s background and possible motives.
“My impression is he was a lone wolf,” Trump said, adding that investigators had not yet determined a motive but that he believed the suspect was “sick”, the Hindustan Times has quoted.
The president also dismissed speculation linking the shooting to escalating tensions involving Iran.
“It's not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran. I don't know if that had anything to do with it, I really don't think so, based on what we know,” Trump told reporters.
According to the Hindustan Times, the latest incident marks another alarming security scare involving Trump, who survived two assassination attempts during the 2024 presidential campaign. In July 2024, gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing Trump’s ear and killing Butler County Fire Chief Corey Comperatore. A second incident occurred in September 2024 near Trump International Golf Club in Florida, where a rifle-bearing suspect was spotted and later arrested.
In remarks following Saturday’s shooting, Trump called for national unity.
"I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts in resolving our differences peacefully. We have to, we have to resolve our differences. I will say you had Republicans, Democrats, independents, conservatives, liberals, and progressives," US President Donald Trump said, the Hindustan Times has quoted.
Trump was joined during the briefing by Melania Trump, JD Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel and senior officials including Rubio, Hegseth, Senator Markwayne Mullin and Todd Blanche.
International leaders also reacted to the incident. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack and expressed relief that no senior officials were harmed.
"Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms," Starmer said on X.