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Trump rushed off stage after shooting at White House correspondents’ dinner (VIDEOS)

The US president said the shooter was apprehended and praised Secret Service for acting “quickly and bravely”

Published 26 Apr, 2026 01:00 | Updated 26 Apr, 2026 04:06

Loud bangs ripped through the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, sending guests diving for cover as Secret Service agents with guns drawn stormed the room, shouting, “Shots fired!”

The annual black-tie gathering was thrown into chaos as President Donald Trump and other top officials were rushed out under heavy security.

“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended,” Trump later wrote on Truth Social, adding that the first lady, the vice president, and all Cabinet members were “in perfect condition.”

26 April 2026
03:47 GMT
The shooting suspect – described by Trump as a “sick person” – was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, two law enforcement officials told the AP.
© Truth Social.com / realDonaldTrump
03:33 GMT
READ MORE: WATCH: Gunman charges security at White House press dinner

The US president has shared grainy security footage of an armed man trying to run through a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton, where Trump and other top officials were attending the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Footage shared by Trump on Truth Social shows the suspect bolting past a security barricade as Secret Service agents run toward him. The president also posted several photos of the man, whom authorities identified as a 30-year-old California resident.
02:37 GMT
President Donald Trump is speaking from the White House briefing room after a shooting incident disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on Saturday night.
02:25 GMT
The Secret Service said the shooting incident unfolded “near the main magnetometer screening area,” adding that one individual was in custody.
We will provide updates as they become available and confirm information. Our teams are on the ground assessing the situation and investigating. All of our protectees are safe. pic.twitter.com/BYl6sR5WVU
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) April 26, 2026
02:20 GMT
One of the videos appeared to show Vice President J.D. Vance being hurried off the stage by Secret Service agents during the security scare.
01:52 GMT
Videos circulating online show alleged suspect lying on the floor under a foil blanket, with his hands tied behind his back, surrounded by security agents.
01:39 GMT
The US president said that law enforcement had requested that everyone leave the premises “consistent with protocol.” He promised to deliver a press conference about the incident from the White House Press Briefing Room in about half an hour.
01:32 GMT
Another video shoes security presence outside the venue.
01:20 GMT
According to footage from the scene, the incident triggered a major security response and immediate chaos inside one of Washington’s most high-profile political and media gatherings.
01:15 GMT
The annual dinner, held by the White House Correspondents’ Association, had just begun, and Trump and first lady Melania Trump had arrived only shortly before the disruption unfolded, cutting short what would have been his first appearance at the event as president.

26 April 2026
01:02 GMT
President Donald Trump was abruptly evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton. The Secret Service and other law enforcement personnel rushed into the ballroom as guests ducked under tables, according to footage from the scene.
01:09 GMT
Authorities had not publicly detailed the nature of the threat in the initial aftermath, and early reporting stopped short of definitively confirming a shooting. White House reporter Jeff Mordock said there were “several loud bangs” before Secret Service agents, with guns drawn, pushed reporters out of the room shouting, “Shots fired.”
01:15 GMT
The annual dinner, held by the White House Correspondents’ Association, had just begun, and Trump and first lady Melania Trump had arrived only shortly before the disruption unfolded, cutting short what would have been his first appearance at the event as president.
01:20 GMT
According to footage from the scene, the incident triggered a major security response and immediate chaos inside one of Washington’s most high-profile political and media gatherings.
01:32 GMT
Another video shoes security presence outside the venue.
01:39 GMT
The US president said that law enforcement had requested that everyone leave the premises “consistent with protocol.” He promised to deliver a press conference about the incident from the White House Press Briefing Room in about half an hour.
01:52 GMT
Videos circulating online show alleged suspect lying on the floor under a foil blanket, with his hands tied behind his back, surrounded by security agents.
02:20 GMT
One of the videos appeared to show Vice President J.D. Vance being hurried off the stage by Secret Service agents during the security scare.
02:25 GMT
The Secret Service said the shooting incident unfolded “near the main magnetometer screening area,” adding that one individual was in custody.
We will provide updates as they become available and confirm information. Our teams are on the ground assessing the situation and investigating. All of our protectees are safe. pic.twitter.com/BYl6sR5WVU
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) April 26, 2026
02:37 GMT
President Donald Trump is speaking from the White House briefing room after a shooting incident disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on Saturday night.