UPDATE 15 (11:34 a.m.): D.C. Police Chief Jeffery W. Carroll said the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, was a registered guest at the Washington Hilton. Authorities have secured his hotel room as part of the ongoing investigation. Carroll added there is no indication of additional threats, though increased police presence has been deployed across related events in the capital as a precaution.
UPDATE 14 (11:23 a.m.): Authorities said the alleged gunman is a 31-year-old man from Torrance, California. Officials confirmed he remains in police custody and is undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital, while charges are expected to be filed soon.
UPDATE 13 (11:22 a.m.): Sean Curran, director of the United States Secret Service, commended agents for their response, saying they “performed admirably” in protecting attendees. He also confirmed the wounded officer is alive and under observation.
UPDATE 12 (11:22 a.m.): D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the suspect is facing two initial charges: use of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. She added that the suspect is set for arraignment in federal court on Monday, with more charges expected.
UPDATE 11 (11:15 a.m.): In a news briefing, D.C. Police Chief Jeffery W. Carroll said a suspect armed with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives charged a Secret Service checkpoint at the Washington Hilton. The suspect was not struck by gunfire and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. A Secret Service agent was shot during the exchange but is in good spirits after being brought to the hospital.
UPDATE 10 (10:57 a.m.): U.S. authorities identified the suspect as a 31-year-old man from California, according to law enforcement officials.
UPDATE 9 (10:54 a.m.): Officials said the suspect was tackled by law enforcement near a security checkpoint and did not breach the main ballroom where the dinner was being held.
UPDATE 8 (10:54 a.m.): President Donald Trump said the gunman did not get close to him, noting security personnel quickly contained the threat.
UPDATE 7 (10:48 a.m.): Trump reiterated he wanted the dinner to continue, saying he did not want “sick people” to “change the fabric of our life,” but confirmed the event would be rescheduled.
UPDATE 6 (10:46 a.m.): The President described the incident as “totally shocking,” initially thinking the sound was a falling object before realizing the situation.
UPDATE 5 (10:36 a.m.): Trump confirmed a Secret Service agent was shot but survived after a bulletproof vest absorbed the impact.
UPDATE 4 (10:34 a.m.): The President released surveillance footage showing a suspect running past a security checkpoint before being pursued by law enforcement.
UPDATE 3 (10:00AM): First images reportedly show a suspect in custody following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, as authorities continue to investigate.
UPDATE 2 (9:42 AM): The F.B.I. formally confirmed that the suspect in the shooting was in custody.
UPDATE: U.S. President Donald Trump has left the Washington Hilton following the reported shooting incident during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, as authorities continue to secure the area and investigate.
In a post on social media, Trump said the First Lady, Vice President and Cabinet members were “in perfect condition,” confirming there were no immediate injuries among top officials. He also announced that the annual event would be delayed and rescheduled within 30 days.
Trump is expected to address the media within 30 minutes outside the White House, as officials work to provide further details on the incident.
U.S. President Donald Trump and senior officials were evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton after multiple gunshot-like sounds triggered panic inside the venue.
A security official familiar with the situation said between seven and eight shots were heard near the hotel’s main screening area, sending attendees ducking under tables as law enforcement secured the scene. Secret Service agents quickly escorted Trump out, along with other officials, as heavily armed personnel moved in to take control of the ballroom.
In a statement, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said the agency is working with Washington, D.C. police to investigate a shooting incident near the magnetometer screening area. Conflicting reports initially emerged on the suspect’s status, but Trump later said on social media that the shooter had been apprehended.
Authorities temporarily prevented attendees from leaving as the hotel perimeter was secured, leaving hundreds inside the ballroom under controlled conditions. Some guests were later allowed to move within the venue as the situation stabilized.
Officials have yet to release a full account of the incident or confirm further details.
This is a developing story.