He added that one officer was shot but protected by a bulletproof vest. “He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job,” Trump said.
He added that the Washington hotel hosting the dinner, where a ‘would-be assassin’ exchanged gunfire with security agents, was “not a particularly secure” facility.
“We looked at all of the conditions that took place tonight, and I will say, you know, it’s not a particularly secure building,” Trump said of the Washington Hilton hotel that has hosted major political events since it opened in 1965.
Who was the suspect?
The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California, according to two law enforcement officials cited by The Associated Press.
“In my opinion, he was a lone wolf,” Trump said, describing the man as a “whack job” and saying he felt there was no reason to believe the attack was connected to the war in Iran.
The DC police chief said the shooting suspect will be arraigned Monday, April 27, on firearms and assault charges.
What happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner?
The shooting took place during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, a high-profile gathering of journalists, political leaders and public figures.
The incident triggered panic at the Washington Hilton, with shots fired near the venue, forcing the evacuation of Trump and other top officials before the situation was brought under control.
Witnesses reported loud bangs inside the banquet hall, triggering panic among guests, many of whom ducked under tables as security personnel moved in. The Secret Service and other agencies quickly secured the area.
Reports said shots were fired during the event, prompting a heavy police response at the Washington Hilton, with tactical teams taking positions inside the venue. The suspected shooter was taken into custody, according to pool reports cited by AFP.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2026
With inputs from Reuters, AP, and AFP.
First Published: Apr 26, 2026 7:29 AM IST