What to know about the shooting at the White House Correspondents' DinnerPresident Trump was safely evacuated from the White House Correspondents' Dinner Saturday night following a shooting outside the ballroom of the Washington Hilton Hotel. Mr. Trump and first lady Melania Trump were whisked off the stage by Secret Service agents as the sound of gunfire sent dinner attendees ducking under tables.The suspect is in custody. He has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance California, multiple sources told CBS News. He was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and knives, and is believed to have acted alone, police said.A Secret Service agent was struck by a round but was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to be OK, law enforcement sources said. The president returned to the White House andheld a news conference, praising officers for their response and telling Americans,
"We have to resolve our differences."
WHCA president Weijia Jiang, who sat next to Trump, describes shooting: "Nobody should have to feel that way"
CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang, who is also the president of the White House Correspondents Association, was sitting next to President Trump as the incident unfolded.
"What was going through my mind is my 7-year-old daughter was there. My husband was there. My parents were there," Jiang said. "On a night where we all came together to celebrate the freedoms and the First Amendment, we also have to think about how fragile they are in this country because … shootings and would-be shootings happen every day."
"And it doesn't matter if it's the White House Correspondents' Dinner or anywhere else in this country. Nobody should have to feel that way. Nobody should have to feel scared to be anywhere in a public place," she added.
Jiang said the annual press dinner is about acknowledging how vital the First Amendment is to democracy, and a chance for the press and the president "to get together in a different context and recognize the important relationship, despite how complicated it might be."
"That's what we were doing, and unfortunately … this traumatic event unfolded and thank goodness everybody is safe. And that's the most important thing out of all of this," she said.
D.C. interim police chief says alleged shooter was guest at the hotel
Secret Service Director Sean Curran told reporters that agents "performed admirably" in apprehending the suspected gunman when he charged the security checkpoint. President Trump called the agent who was struck, Curran said.
Jeffrey Carroll, interim chief of police for the Metropolitan Police Department, said they don't yet know the alleged gunman's motivation or who his specific target may have been. The suspect was not known to the D.C. police department, he said.
Carroll said the suspect charged the security checkpoint with a shotgun in his hand, and was also armed with a handgun and multiple knives.
The suspected shooter was not hit by gunfire and was taken to the hospital for evaluation, Carroll said.
The interim police chief said "preliminary information" is that the gunman was a guest at the hotel. Law enforcement secured a room at the hotel and is going through the "appropriate procedures" to determine what was inside. Carroll said law enforcement believes the alleged gunman is the only suspect in the case.
Shooting suspect had worked as a tutor in Torrance, California, sources say
The suspect who opened fire outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner was an educator who received a "Teacher of the Month" award in Torrance, California, in 2024, CBS News has learned.
Two law enforcement sources confirmed that 31-year-old Cole Allen had been a teacher with C2 Education of Torrance, a tutoring service. He was awarded "Teacher of the Month" by C2 in December 2024,according toa Facebook post.
It's unclear if he was still employed by C2.
Three sources previously confirmed to CBS News that Allen is the suspect in custody for Saturday's incident.
The California Institute of Technology also confirmed to CBS News in an email that Allen graduated from the university in 2017, but provided no further details.
Suspect to be charged with two counts for now, Pirro says
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the top prosecutor for Washington, D.C., said the suspect will be charged with two counts so far: using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
"It is clear, based upon what we know so far, that this individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could, and thankfully, because of the checkpoint right outside the ballroom where thousands of people were situated to hear the president of the United States, that checkpoint worked," Pirro said during a press conference. "There was no one who was injured, but it was clear where this defendant was going."
Pirro said the suspect will be arraigned Monday in federal district court and predicted he will face more charges as investigators learn more.
Addressing rise in political violence, Trump says presidency is a "dangerous profession"
President Trump addressed the rise of political violence and said it impacts all countries.
"No country is immune," he said.
Mr. Trump said president of the United States is a "dangerous profession," and said his policies make him a target.
"It comes with the territory," he said, adding "we're going to continue to do a great job. That's all I can do."
Mr. Trump said he initially thought the sound of gunfire was a tray dropping and joked that when reporters and officials gather for the dinner again, they will make it "safer."
Trump says shooter charged from "50 yards away"
President Trump said the ballroom where the dinner was held was "very, very secure," and the shooter charged the security screening area from "50 yards away."
"These people, they're crazy," he said. "They're crazy."
Asked whether the shooting was linked to the ongoing war in Iran, Mr. Trump said he did not believe that was the case, but investigators are still gathering information.
The president reiterated that he believes the suspect was a "lone wolf," and called him a "whack job."
Trump says he wanted dinner to continue to prevent "horrible people" from changing "the fabric of our lives"
President Trump told Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents' Association, that she did a "fantastic job."
Jiang, a CBS News White House correspondent, asked the president about how he was feeling as he was whisked away by Secret Service agents. Mr. Trump was wounded in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024.
"I was watching to see what was happening," he said, adding that the first lady was "very cognizant" of what was going on.
Mr. Trump raised the Secret Service and the police for their swift action.
"We very much wanted to continue, because I don't like to let these sick people, these thugs, these horrible, horrible people change the fabric of our lives, change the course of what we do," he said.
The president joked that he was prepared to "really rip it" in his speech, but vowed instead to go easier on the press when the dinner is next held.
Trump urges Americans to "recommit with their hearts" to resolving differences peacefully
President Trump confirmed that one law enforcement officer was shot, but said his life was likely saved because he was wearing a bulletproof vest. Mr. Trump said the alleged shooter lives in California and called him a "sick person." He told reporters that the suspected gunman likely acted alone.
The president said that the attack underscored the need for the ballroom at the White House, which he said the Secret Service and the military are "demanding."
"We don't want things like this to happen," he said. "I think it's very important that I say, though, and I told the representatives of the evening, and they did such a beautiful job with such a beautiful evening. And again, they're talking about free speech in our Constitution. That's what it's all about."
Mr. Trump urged Americans to "recommit with their hearts and resolve our differences peacefully." He noted that the dinner brought together lawmakers and officials from across the political spectrum.
Joining Mr. Trump at the White House for the briefing were Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
Suspect is 31-year-old California man, sources say
The suspect in the shooting is 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California, three sources told CBS News.
Acting AG Blanche says investigation is "ongoing" and charges will be filed "shortly"
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said that the investigation into the incident tonight is "ongoing" and that charges against the suspect should be filed "shortly."
"The charges should be self evident, given the conduct," Blanche said.
Blanche said that federal investigators are already working on search warrants in the case, and that "everybody's on the scene doing their job."
Trump tells reporters "thug" acted in attack on Constitution
In remarks to the press from the White House, President Trump said the attack was perpetrated by a "thug" who "attacked our Constitution."
"That was very unexpected, but incredibly acted upon by Secret Service and law enforcement," he said. "This was an event dedicated to freedom of speech that was supposed to bring together members of both partners with members of the press, and in a way it did."
Mr. Trump said a man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons and was taken down by agents. He said he shared to his social media platforms security footage of the incident, which Mr. Trump said was to show how swiftly Secret Service and law enforcement
Trump posts photo that appears to show suspect after shooting incident
President Trumpposted a phototo Truth Social that appeared to show the suspect on the ground and handcuffed after the shooting.
The presidentalso postedsecurity video that showed the suspect running past Secret Service.
CBS News White House reporter says sound of gunshots reminded her of Butler shooting
CBS News White House reporter Olivia Rinaldi said the sound of the gunshots fired outside the ballroom of the White House Correspondents' Dinner reminded her of the assassination attempt on President Trump that occurred during acampaign rallyin Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024.
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"We heard what sounded like three to four successive shots," Rinaldi said. "Originally it sounded like plates had fallen, loud noises. But I was there in Butler, that was gunfire and we knew it."
"We could also smell the gunpowder that was fired," she added.
Suspect had a shotgun and handgun in his possession, sources say
The suspect in Saturday night's shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner had a shotgun and handgun on him, according to two sources familiar with the investigation into the shooting.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries: "The violence and chaos in America must end"
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York expressed gratitude for law enforcement's quick action to protect those in attendance at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
"Praying for the safety of those who may remain in harm's way," hewrote on X. "The violence and chaos in America must end."
Trump to hold press conference from White House
President Trump said he will hold a press conference at the White House briefing room shortly.
The president wrote in a Truth Social post that he would hold the press conference "in 30 minutes." Mr. Trump had initially stated that he would like the White House Correspondents' Dinner to proceed, for later saying that law enforcement had asked that the ballroom be cleared for investigators.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Mr. Trump will speak from the briefing room.
CBS News will stream the press conference live on this page.
Photo shows Trump being rushed to safety
Reporter Bo Erickson captured images of the scene as President Trump was rushed off stage by Secret Service agents.
"Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely," Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Secret Service agent was injured in shooting, sources say
A Secret Service agent was injured when a gunman opened fire outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner, two law enforcement sources told CBS News.
The agent was struck by a round but was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to be OK, the sources said.
The sources said that a total of five to eight shots were fired. The gunman is alive but injured and was hospitalized, the sources added.
WHCA president and CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang: Freedoms of the First Amendment are "fragile"
Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents' Association and CBS News' senior White House correspondent, took to the stage and reiterated that President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and members of Mr. Trump's Cabinet were not hurt.
As she told the crowd of reporters that the president would be holding a press conference, Jiang quipped, "that is not a joke."
Jiang told those in attendance that the president wanted to continue with the dinner, but has to follow security protocols.
"Journalism is a public service, because when there is an emergency, we run to the crisis, not away from it," she said. "And on a night when we are thinking about the freedoms of the First Amendment, we must also think about how fragile they are."
Noting that many of the journalists attending the dinner quickly shifted to reporting on the night's events, Jiang said, "That's what we do."
"Thank God everybody is safe and thank you for coming together tonight. We will do this again," she said.
Trump says he will leave dinner; vice president and Cabinet members in "perfect condition"
President Trump said on Truth Social that law enforcement has requested that he leave the site of the dinner and will do so "immediately." He said that he will give a press conference from the White House briefing room.
"The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition," he said.
Mr. Trump said that he has spoken with those in charge of the event and "we will be rescheduling within 30 days."
Secret Service spokesman says person in custody and president, first lady are safe
Anthony Guglielmi, Secret Service spokesman, said that the agency and the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a "shooting incident" near the main security screening area at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
The president and first lady, along with all protectees, are safe, he said in a statement shared tosocial media.
Guglielmi said that a person is in custody.
"The condition of those involved is not yet known, and law enforcement is actively assessing the situation," he said.
Trump says shooter has been "apprehended" and urges dinner to go on
In aposton Truth Social, President Trump said that a shooter has been apprehended and said that while he wants the dinner to continue, that will be up to law enforcement.
"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, and I have recommended that we 'LET THE SHOW GO ON' but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement," Mr. Trump wrote. "They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we'll just, plain, have to do it again."
Law enforcement sources initially told CBS News that the shooter was killed, but White House officials later said the person was "neutralized" but alive.
Dinner attendees heard what sounded like gunshots
Attendees of the White House Correspondents Dinner heard what sounded like three to four gun shots around 8:30 p.m.
The shots sounded like they were fired outside the ballroom, near a back stairwell, opposite the stage where the president was seated. The president was evacuated within seconds.
Gunpowder could be smelled near the back of the room. Among those escorted out by security were Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, FBI Director Kash Patel and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.
At least 6 shots fired before gunman was neutralized, source says
A law enforcement source told CBS News at least six shots were fired before the gunman at the White House Correspondents' Dinner was neutralized.
The gunman was apparently in the hallway by the metal detectors just outside the ballroom where diners were being served, the source said.
Video from CBS News table shows chaos after shots fired
Cellphone video shot by CBS News senior White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs from the CBS News table captured the immediate moments after shots were fired outside the ballroom.
Video of White House Correspondents Association evacuation via@CBSNewspic.twitter.com/e2r0JUIdpP
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs)April 26, 2026
The video shows White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and his wife, Katie Miller, crouched next to the table and shielded by a federal agent before they are led out of the ballroom. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert K. Kennedy, Jr., and his wife, Cheryl Hines, also appeared to be next to Miller.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his wife, Jennifer, can then be seen leaving the ballroom.
Secret Service officers with guns drawn lined up across the podium area yelling "clear" after multiple shots were heard.
Agents escorted RFK Jr., EPA administrator Lee Zeldin away
Images taken by photojournalists at the White House Correspondents Dinner show armed agents escorting away guests including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
Another photo shows attendees hiding under tables what sounded like several gunshots.
Video from dinner shows guests huddled next to tables
Video footagefrom insidethe dinner show attendees crouched next to tables, with security details winding their way among the maze of tables.
Law enforcement fired shots inside the ballroom at White House Correspondents Dinner
Security is evacuating the ballroom at the White House Correspondents Dinner after law enforcement fired shots inside the room, reports CBS News security contributor Sam Vinograd, who is at the event.
She said the incident appeared to happen in the hallway right by CBS News' table at the annual dinner.
Cabinet officials in attendance at annual dinner
Several Cabinet officials are in attendance at the White House Correspondents Dinner, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert K. Kennedy, Jr., and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
What to know about the shooting at the White House Correspondents' DinnerPresident Trump was safely evacuated from the White House ...
