US PresidentDonald Trumpwas unharmed, and several top US officials were evacuated from the annualWhite HouseCorrespondents' Dinner on Saturday night after a suspect reportedly opened fire at the high-profile event. According to a volunteer at the event, the suspected gunman was seen assembling what appeared to be a “long” weapon in a lightly monitored area near a terrace-level entrance before opening fire and moving toward the ballroom.
The witness, Helen Mabus, who said she is from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, described the area as a “makeshift room” near the entrance where bar carts were stored. She noted that “there was no security” present at the time.
“He was in that room […] he grabbed it out of a bag or something,” Mabus told New York Post, adding that the weapon “was long” and “didn’t look like a typical gun.”
Mabus said the suspect was partially out of view of security as he handled the weapon inside the room before suddenly moving toward the main event space. “He put it together and […] ran towards the stairs to go down to the ballroom,” she said. The gunman then began firing in multiple directions as guests and staff scrambled to escape.
“It just seem like he was shooting all over the place,” Mabus told NY Post, estimating she heard “at least 10 shots.”
She said the gunfire triggered immediate panic, with people “screaming and running” while Secret Service and other armed personnel rushed toward the danger. Mabus said she fled in the opposite direction and did not see the suspect apprehended, adding that the chaos unfolded just steps from the path leading down to the ballroom where hundreds of high-profile guests had gathered.
The administration has confirmed that all key officials, including the First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Cabinet members, are safe and accounted for.
After the shooing, Trump took to Truth Social and said, “Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately. I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room. The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition. We will be speaking to you in a half an hour. I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days.”
The White House Correspondents’ Annual Dinner has been postponed and will be rescheduled.
The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California. He is currently in custody.
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