US President Donald Trump not injured after car crash shooting The annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington was disrupted on Saturday night, forcing the evacuation of senior officials and guests. This event has been canceled and will be rescheduled.
Authorities said the incident occurred outside a ballroom where Trump and other attendees were seated. While details are unclear, a law enforcement official said a gunman opened fire. There have been no reports of injuries to guests.
Calling the incident “unexpected” trump card Describing the shooting suspect as “Lone wolf and hard hitting job“.
Here’s what we know so far
- The Associated Press quoted two law enforcement officials as saying that the suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California.
- Speaking at a news conference hours after the shooting, Trump said the man was carrying “a variety of weapons” before being stopped by security.
- In his first account, Trump said he initially mistook the gunshots for other sounds. The noise was “very far away,” he said, adding that the first lady quickly realized the seriousness of the situation. “I think she knew right away what was going on,” he recalled her saying. “It was a really unpleasant sound.”
- As dinner was about to begin, chaos ensued. Attendees were eating spring peas and burrata salad when armed security burst into the ballroom and shouted at people to get down, the Associated Press reported in detail.
- Reporters in formal attire ducked under tables, glasses clinked, drinks were spilled and some in the room reported hearing five to eight gunshots for safety.
- The FBI confirmed in a statement that the suspect was in custody and that its Washington office responded to the incident. The city’s Police Department said its officers are on scene and coordinating with federal agencies.
- Shortly after the incident, Trump said in a post that a shooter had been arrested, and he shared photos of the suspect being detained, as well as video purportedly showing the man walking through a security checkpoint before being arrested.
- Trump struck a defiant tone as he spoke at a news conference, saying this was “not the first time Republicans have been attacked” and that he was “doing everything in his power to stay and continue this.” He added that he “will not allow these sick people, these thugs, these horrible people, to change course.” Reflecting on the broader pattern, he said, “Those who do the most, who have the greatest impact, are the ones they’re going after.”
- Trump also expressed concerns about security at the Washington Hilton, saying the hotel was “not a particularly safe” facility. Typically during such events, the security focus remains on the ballroom, while the hotel remains open to the public, according to the Associated Press.
- The US president said an officer was shot and killed in the exchange of gunfire but was protected by a bulletproof vest. The dinner was canceled, attendees were asked to leave the venue, and Trump said the dinner would be rescheduled within the next 30 days.
