What we know about the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting

A gunman exchanged gunfire with law enforcement after rushing through a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, authorities said, an event attended by President Donald Trump and high-ranking members of his administration.

Subscribe to read this story ad-free

Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.

Trump and key members of his Cabinet and Congress were quickly evacuated from the ballroom of the Washington Hilton, where the annual event was being held.

The only suspect was apprehended after an exchange of gunfire in which a Secret Service officer was injured. No other injuries were reported.

Follow live updates here.

Authorities did not detail the intended target of the incident or the motive.

Here’s what we know about the incident.

The suspect had several weapons

The suspect was identified as Cole Thomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, a federal official familiar with the matter told NBC News.

Authorities said he had no criminal record and was not on the radar of law enforcement in Washington, DC.

The suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives when he passed through a checkpoint in the hotel lobby around 8:36 p.m. and ran toward the ballroom where the event was taking place, Metropolitan Police Chief Jeffery Carroll said.

Law enforcement exchanged gunfire with the suspect, he said, then eventually attacked him and took him into custody.

He was not shot but was taken to the hospital, Carroll said.

A Secret Service Uniformed Division officer was “struck in the vest” and taken for treatment to a local hospital, Carroll said. The officer was later released from the hospital, a source said early Sunday.

Trump said he spoke with the officer, who he said was shot “at a very close range with a very powerful weapon” and was “saved” by his vest.

Trump evacuated from dinner

The security video posted by Trump on Truth Social showed a person running into a room where several security guards were present. Several members of the police drew their weapons and charged after him, the video shows.

Inside the ballroom, Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other officials were rushed out of the room while others hid under tables and law enforcement arrived with weapons drawn.

Not everyone in the ballroom heard the sounds of gunshots. Some NBC News reporters who were inside said there was commotion and confusion as officers rushed inside and toward where the president and other officials were sitting.

Trump then returned to the White House, where he said during a press briefing that he had spoken with the injured officer, and he praised Secret Service agents for their response.

The president said the timing of the shots felt like a plateau falling to him.

“I heard a noise and I kind of thought it was a plateau,” Trump said. “I thought it was a tray falling. I heard that several times, and it was a pretty loud noise.”

The suspect acted alone and was staying at the hotel

Carroll said authorities believe the suspect was acting alone and was a guest at the hotel. He said the hotel room the man was supposed to be using was being searched by authorities.

The suspect will be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous or deadly weapon, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said at a news conference.

He is expected to be arraigned Monday, Pirro said.

“It is clear from what we know so far that this individual intended to do as much harm and damage as he could,” she said.

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Secret Service, are investigating. Authorities have not publicly revealed a possible motive.

Event to be postponed

Trump told reporters he “fought like hell to stay” at the dinner, but law enforcement concerns took precedence. Trump said the event would be postponed within 30 days.

Trump had previously attended the dinner as a member of the public, but Saturday night’s event was his first while in office.