Shots Reported at Correspondents’ Dinner, Trump Escorted to Safety, Suspect Detained
U.S. President Donald Trump was escorted out of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., after gunshots were reported outside the venue.
The incident occurred Saturday evening at the Washington Hilton, where the annual media gala was being held. Trump was quickly taken offstage as security responded to the situation outside the ballroom.
The president, First Lady Melania Trump, and members of his Cabinet were not harmed in the incident.
Speaking at a news conference afterward, Trump said an armed man had attempted to breach a security checkpoint but was quickly neutralized by the Secret Service. He described the suspect as a “very sick individual” and condemned the act as an attack on the U.S. Constitution.
One Secret Service officer was shot during the confrontation, but his bulletproof vest prevented serious injury, and he is reported to be in good condition.
“This is not the first time in recent years that someone has tried to carry out such an attack against our republic,” Trump said. He also called on Americans to handle their differences peacefully in light of the incident.
When asked whether he believed he was the intended target, Trump replied, “I guess.”
Security agents drew their weapons at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2026.
The agency added that the condition of those involved is still unknown, while law enforcement continues to investigate and assess the situation.
Shortly before his news conference, Trump posted images on Truth Social of the suspect face down on the ground, as well as a clip of a surveillance video showing a man running past security personnel, who then drew their guns and opened fire.
Jeanine Ferris Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, announced that the suspect will face charges including the use of a firearm during a violent crime and assault on federal officers with a dangerous weapon.
FBI Director Kash Patel said investigators have already begun reviewing the suspect’s background and urged the public to come forward with any relevant information. “No detail is too small or insignificant,” Patel said, adding that all tips will be carefully assessed.
Several U.S. media outlets have identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California.
Donald Trump, who has often been critical of journalists and has taken legal action against several media organizations, was scheduled to speak at the annual press freedom celebration for the first time during his presidency.
According to footage from the venue, chaos erupted when gunshots were heard, prompting Trump and other guests to take cover under their tables as people shouted “Get down!” and “Stay down!” Moments later, Trump was escorted out of the venue as heavily armed members of his security team surrounded the area.
Al Jazeera producer Chris Sheridan said he heard what he believed were around five gunshots coming from outside the ballroom. He added that the smell of gunpowder was noticeable, and people immediately dropped to the floor. “It was directly behind me,” he said, noting that the shots appeared to come from near the entrance doors to the ballroom.
Sheridan also pointed out that although security inside the ballroom was similar to airport-level screening, anyone with a ticket could still enter the hotel and access the lower level where the ballroom was located. He added that it would have been possible to reach the outside area near that level.
World leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, strongly condemned the attack and expressed relief that Donald Trump was not injured.
In a post on X, Modi stated that violence has no place in a democracy and must be condemned without any ambiguity.
Trump has previously faced several assassination attempts, including a close call during his 2024 presidential campaign. In that incident, Thomas Crooks fired eight shots at Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. One bystander was killed and Trump sustained an injury to his right ear before Crooks was fatally shot by Secret Service agents.
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