Trump rushed to safety after shooting at White House press dinner
DJT
Published on 04/26/2026 at 02:06 am EDT - Modified on 04/26/2026 at 03:02 am EDT
STORY: Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed to safety Saturday night after a man armed with a shotgun tried to breach security at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
The incident sparked chaos at the event.
Attendees took cover as armed Secret Service officers ran into the room and hustled the president to safety.
About an hour later, Trump posted on Truth Social that a shooter had been apprehended.
He later spoke at a hastily arranged news conference, where he and the reporters were still in their formal wear.
"A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons. And he was taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service and they acted very quickly... One officer was shot, but saved by the fact that he was wearing a obviously a very good bulletproof vest. He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun and the vest did the job. I just spoke to the officer and he's doing great."
:: Donald J Trump via Truth Social
Trump posted a video said to show the suspect attempting to rush security for the event.
He also posted a still showing a man being held face down on the floor.
"The man is, has been captured. They've, they're going to his apartment, I guess he lives in California. And he's a sick person, a very sick person."
Trump said federal agents were raiding the suspect's home.
He was later named as Californian Cole Tomas Allen, about 31 years old.
Police said the suspect was believed to have acted alone, with no further danger posed.
An official said the FBI would lead the probe into the incident.