Shots fired force evacuation at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Shots rang out on Saturday evening during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, prompting the evacuation of U.S. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and attendees from the hotel ballroom hosting the event.
Speaking to reporters later, Trump said he had wanted the dinner to continue but security officials insisted on clearing the venue after gunfire was heard shortly after 8:30 p.m. ET (12:30 a.m. GMT). “It’s a dangerous profession,” Trump said when asked about threats to his life.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect — identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen from Torrance — was apprehended and hospitalized. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the investigation is ongoing and charges will be filed soon.
Trump said a United States Secret Service agent was struck by a bullet at close range but was protected by a bulletproof vest. Trump later spoke with the agent, describing him as being in good spirits.
The U.S. president added that he initially mistook the sound of gunfire for a falling tray. “But it was a gun,” he said, adding that his wife quickly realized the seriousness of the situation. “We were whisked away, along with other people, but we were really whisked away.”
Law enforcement sources told CBS News that the suspect had both a shotgun and a handgun and told officers he intended to shoot Trump administration officials, though he did not explicitly name the president as a target.
Trump released images of the suspect and security footage, praising the rapid response of security forces. He said the attacker “hadn’t come anywhere close to breach the doors of the room.”
The dinner, an event traditionally meant to celebrate press freedom and bring together journalists and political figures from across the spectrum, will be rescheduled within 30 days, according to Trump.
Addressing the room’s reaction, Trump said the incident briefly unified attendees. “I saw a room that was just totally unified,” he said. “In one way, very beautiful to see.”
Asked by White House Correspondents’ Association president and Weijia Jiang what he felt during the incident, Trump reflected on past threats, saying such moments remain “always shocking.”
“No country is immune,” he said, calling for political differences to be resolved peacefully.