President Donald Trump shooting scare: What we know so far

A shooting incident disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner weekend and prompted a major security response involving President Donald Trump. Authorities and news outlets are still piecing together details, but here is a clear, fact-based rundown of what has been reported so far.

The incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

According to reporting from BBC News and PBS NewsHour, gunshots were fired near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., prompting Secret Service agents to evacuate the president and other attendees.

Key confirmed details:

• Gunshots were reported near the event venue.

• Secret Service quickly removed Trump from the area.

• Guests and officials took cover while security responded.

• Authorities later confirmed the suspected gunman was shot and killed.

• No injuries to the president were reported.

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is a high-profile gathering attended by top government officials, journalists, and celebrities, making the security response especially swift and visible.

Trump’s response and press conference

Trump later addressed the incident during a press conference, confirming he had been rushed out of the venue as a precaution. He praised Secret Service agents for their rapid response and said he felt safe.

Officials emphasized that investigations are ongoing and that early information may change as more facts emerge.

Breaking details from NPR and additional reporting

According to new reporting from NPR and other outlets, the shooting occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m. during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were quickly evacuated and were not injured. 

Authorities say the gunfire happened near the security screening area outside the main ballroom, where hundreds of journalists, political leaders and guests were gathered. Witnesses reported hearing what sounded like gunshots before Secret Service agents rushed the president and other officials from the room. 

The Secret Service confirmed that a suspect is in custody and that the president and all protected officials are safe. 

Agent injured while stopping the suspect

Officials later confirmed that a Secret Service agent was struck in a bullet-resistant vest and treated for injuries before being released from the hospital. 

Law enforcement says the suspect allegedly carried multiple weapons, including a shotgun, handgun and knives. 

Suspect identified and possible charges

Investigators have identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of California, who had reportedly traveled to Washington, D.C. days before the event as reported by Reuters. 

Federal officials say the suspect may face charges including:

• Attempted assassination of the president

• Assault on a federal officer

• Firearms offenses 

Authorities believe the attacker acted alone and that the president was likely the intended target as stated in Reuters. 

Trump praises Secret Service response

After the incident, Trump publicly thanked law enforcement and praised the Secret Service’s quick response, saying they “acted quickly and bravely.” according to WPRL. 

The shooting caused panic among the roughly 2,600 attendees, many of whom took cover or fled the ballroom as the situation unfolded as reported in Reuters. 

Renewed security concerns

The incident has sparked renewed debate about security at high-profile political events and may influence future planning for presidential appearances and major Washington gatherings. 

Source links

Fox News: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-faces-unprecedented-third-assassination-attempt

PBS NewsHour: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/watch-live-trump-holds-press-conference-after-shooting-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner

BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2484nln8zeo

NPR: https://www.npr.org/2026/04/26/g-s1-118807/trump-white-house-correspondents-dinner