By Palesa Matlala
• An armed man carrying a shotgun, handgun and knives forced his way through a security checkpoint before officers shot and detained him at the hotel.
• A United States Secret Service officer was shot at close range but survived, while President Donald Trump was quickly evacuated from the crowded event.
United States Secret Service agents rushed President Donald Trump off stage after gunfire broke out at a major media dinner in Washington.
The drama unfolded on Saturday night at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner held at the Washington Hilton hotel.
An armed man forced his way through a security checkpoint just outside the ballroom. He was carrying a shotgun, a handgun and knives.
Guards opened fire as the man charged forward. Guests inside the venue panicked. Many dived under tables as security teams moved in.
Trump, who was attending with First Lady Melania Trump and senior officials, was quickly taken to safety.
Speaking later at the White House, Trump said the attacker was believed to be acting alone. He described him as a “would-be assassin”.
He said he first thought the noise was something falling before realising it was gunfire.
Police confirmed the suspect was shot and detained at the scene. He is expected to appear in court on Monday on charges linked to firearms and assault.
Washington police chief Jeffery Carroll said officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect. A Secret Service officer was hit in his vest and taken to hospital. He is expected to recover.
Authorities said the suspect appeared to have been staying at the hotel. Investigators later searched a home in Torrance, California linked to the case.
Reports named the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation has not confirmed this.
The event was attended by hundreds of guests, including politicians, journalists and public figures. Cabinet members were rushed out as confusion spread.
This is not the first time Trump has faced danger. In 2024, a gunman opened fire at a rally in Pennsylvania, killing one person and injuring Trump.
The Washington Hilton is also known as the site where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
Despite the scare, Trump said he plans to hold the dinner again within a month.
Pictured above: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania
Image source: File
