Trump Evacuated, Shooter in Custody after Opening Fire at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
President Donald Trump rides in his motorcade to dinner with Cabinet secretaries and White House staff at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab restaurant in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, September 9, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
President Donald Trump was evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after gunfire was reported inside the Washington Hilton, sending attendees scrambling for cover.
Article by Stella Smith, White House Digital Director
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump was abruptly rushed out of the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night after gunfire was reported at the Washington Hilton, prompting an immediate security response as panic spread through the ballroom.
The incident unfolded moments after the dinner began, with guests only taking their seats as a sudden commotion erupted toward the back of the ballroom. According to the White House press pool, a member of the United States Secret Service shouted “shots fired,” prompting agents to rush to President Trump and quickly escort him out of the room. Witnesses described confusion and panic as attendees dropped beneath their tables for cover, with many unsure of where the threat was coming from or how close it was.
Alongside the President and First Lady, a number of high-ranking administration officials were in attendance, including Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, FBI Director Kash Patel, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, among others.
Details about the shooting are continuing to emerge. Authorities say approximately five to eight shots were fired. The suspected gunman, identified as a 31-year-old male from Torrance, California, who has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital with injuries. Allen will be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. A Secret Service agent was reportedly struck during the incident, though officials said the agent was protected by a bulletproof vest and did not suffer serious injuries. President Trump added that they spoke to the agent who is< “in very high spirits.”
In a post on TruthSocial, President Trump announced the “shooter has been apprehended,” praising law enforcement’s response to the incident. He added, “LET THE SHOW GO ON,” signaling an initial desire to continue the event. In a subsequent post, he said authorities had requested attendees “leave the premises,” consistent with protocol. The event will be rescheduled within the month.
In an address to the nation following the incident, President Trump characterized the White House Correspondents’ Dinner as an event dedicated to free speech and unity, condemning the gunman as a “thug that attacked our Constitution.” He praised the swift response from law enforcement and said he had spoken to the Secret Service agent who was struck, noting the agent was in “great shape” and “high spirits."
The President added that the suspect, whom he described as a “lone wolf whack job,” charged from roughly 50 yards away, suggesting the venue was “not a particularly secure building.” FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that witness interviews are underway and that investigators are examining the suspect’s background. In addition, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said charges are expected to be filed shortly, including charges tied to the shooting and weapons possession.
In a separate incident tonight, a female protestor rushed the presidential motorcade outside of the Washington Hilton as well as another unidentified subject who rushed a police barricade in their vehicle.
The investigation remains ongoing, with federal and local authorities continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses as they work to determine a motive. As the situation continues to unfold, officials have said more details will be released in the coming hours.