By Marcus Moloko
President Donald Trump was evacuated unharmed from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, after a man opened fire near the venue.
Reports identified a Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, who attempted to breach a Secret Service checkpoint armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives.
Shots were fired in the lobby area outside the ballroom, prompting agents to rush the President and senior officials from the room.
One Secret Service officer was shot at close range, but his bulletproof vest prevented serious injury.
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Trump later confirmed at a White House press briefing that the officer is expected to recover. No other attendees were reported injured.
Allen was subdued without being shot and taken into custody. He was transported to a hospital for evaluation and is expected to face multiple firearm and assault charges on Monday.
The dinner was canceled for the night. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the event will be rescheduled within 30 days.
The FBI and local police are investigating Allen’s background, including a search of his residence in California.
Trump responded to the shooting by confirming the man was a “lone wolf.”
