Donald Trump was rushed to safety from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after gunshots rang out at the venue.
The US president and first lady Melania Trump appeared to be in conversation at the Washington Hilton when they were interrupted by a commotion at around 8.30pm (1.30am UK time). Hundreds of politicians, journalists and celebrities were in attendance at the annual event at the Hilton Washington Hotel.
The assailant, who reportedly opened fire near the entrance to the ballroom, was quickly apprehended by law enforcement.
Trump later posted a close-up photo showing a shirtless man on the floor with his hands cuffed behind his back with Secret Service standing around him. The man in custody has been named as 31-year-old Cole Allen, from Torrance, California.
Officials believe the suspect was likely targeting Trump administration officials.
The assailant had a shotgun, a hand gun and multiple knives, police have said.
One officer was struck but saved by a bulletproof vest, Trump said.
Trump called the attacker a “lone wolf whack job” as he returned to the White House to give a news conference soon after the incident.
Todd Blanche, the acting US attorney general, says he believes the suspect is not cooperating with the investigation.
Pictures later emerged showing FBI agents and police searching an area at a California address believed to be linked to the alleged gunman.
BBC Verify has been looking into the online presence of the suspect.
Los Angeles County’s voter registration records appear to show he had registered no party preference.
According to a Federal Election Commission record, seen by BBC Verify, in October 2024 Allen donated $25 (£18) to the fundraising platform ActBlue with the money earmarked for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.
Allen describes himself as a mechanical engineer, game developer and teacher on LinkedIn.
According to his profile, he studied mechanical engineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) a highly competitive university, where he took part in its Christian fellowship.
He graduated with a masters in computer science in 2025 from California State University, Dominguez Hills, marking the milestone by sharing a photo of himself in graduation robes to LinkedIn. He also developed and released a game called “Bohrdom” to the gaming platform Steam.
On Facebook, photos of Allen – which BBC Verify has matched to those of his arrest at the Washington Hilton hotel – show him smiling in family photographs at Christmas and graduation events.
In December 2024, he was named teacher of the month by C2 Education, which offers tutoring and college test preparation to students, according to the organisation’s Facebook post.
He has been a part-time teacher there since 2020, his LinkedIn profile says.
Jeanine Pirro, US attorney for Washington, said the suspect was now facing two charges – using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
She added that he would be formally charged on Monday in federal court.
Source: bbc.co.uk
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