US Secret Service agents swiftly escorted Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials off the stage after gunfire was reported outside a media gala attended by US President Donald Trump in Washington DC on Saturday night.
Incident at the Washington Hilton
The incident occurred at the Washington Hilton, where a man armed with multiple weapons opened fire near a security checkpoint outside the ballroom where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was underway. The attack happened shortly before Trump was scheduled to address the gathering. At the time, Trump was seen interacting with Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents' Association, and mentalist Oz Pearlman, who was scheduled to perform.
As shots rang out, US Secret Service agents quickly moved to secure the venue. Several viral videos show agents pulling and escorting JD Vance off the stage within seconds, while tactical teams with weapons drawn took positions around the ballroom.
Evacuation and Chaos
Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, and other senior officials were swiftly escorted out as chaos spread among guests. Many attendees, including journalists and political leaders, ducked under tables in fear. A tearful Erika Kirk was also seen being escorted out after gunfire triggered panic and evacuation at the venue. In a video shared by a CNN reporter and circulated widely on social media, she is heard saying, "I just want to go home," as security guided her away.
"Boom, boom, boom, boom is all that I heard, and many guests ducked under the table," a C-SPAN reporter present at the dinner said.
Security Response
Police quickly surrounded the hotel, while helicopters hovered overhead as part of a massive security response. Officials said armed guards engaged the suspect as he attempted to breach the checkpoint. The attacker was subdued before reaching the main event area.
"I heard a noise and sort of thought it was a tray going down. I've heard that many times. It was a pretty loud noise, and it was from quite far away. He (the attacker) hadn't reached the area at all. They really got him," Trump later said, recalling the moment.
Authorities confirmed that no dignitaries or guests were injured. One Secret Service officer was "struck in his vest" during the exchange of fire but was safe.
Suspect Details
The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California, was taken into custody. He was reportedly armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives. Officials said he appeared to be acting alone. Law enforcement officials stated that the accused would face charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer.
"They seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too," Trump said at a press conference, further adding that the gala would be rescheduled within 30 days. He also raised concerns about the venue's security, describing it as "not a particularly secure" facility.
Renewed Security Concerns
The attack has renewed focus on security at high-profile political events, especially given past incidents. The Washington Hilton was also the site of the 1981 assassination attempt on former President Ronald Reagan. The latest scare comes amid heightened political tensions and follows previous attempts on Trump's life, including a 2024 rally shooting in Pennsylvania.
