Trump safe after shooting at White House Correspondents Dinner as suspect in custody: Live updates
President Donald Trump is safe after a shooting sparked chaos during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday evening.
Gunshots rang out inside the hotel shortly after 8:30pm, prompting scenes of panic as Secret Service agents rushed the president and other Cabinet officials out of the ballroom, while others took cover beneath tables.
A male assailant shot and injured one law enforcement officer, before being detained near the hotel screening area, officials said. The man in custody has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, according to The New York Times.
Following the incident, the annual black-tie dinner was canceled, and Trump hosted a press conference at the White House shortly after 10:30pm, where he applauded law enforcement for their swift response.
Still dressed in his tuxedo from the dinner, Trump called the assailant a “thug” and a “lone wolf,” while Justice Department officials said the suspect has been charged with firearms and assault charges.
