President Trump Evacuated As Gunman Opens Fire At Washington Media Gala [Video]

US Secret Service officers rushed President Donald Trump off the stage on Saturday night after gunman opened fire during a high-profile media gala in Washington.

According to reports, an armed man forced his way through a security checkpoint near the hotel ballroom where Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, senior officials, and hundreds of guests had gathered for the event.

Security personnel responded immediately, opening fire and stopping the attacker, causing panic in the room as guests ducked under tables while security teams flooded the venue, which was hosting the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton.

During the chaos, armed tactical teams secured the stage where Trump had been seated earlier. Police quickly surrounded the hotel, while helicopters monitored the situation from above.

The shooting happened after the opening remarks and during dinner, shortly before Trump was scheduled to speak. Cabinet members were evacuated first as confusion spread among attendees.

Speaking shortly afterward at the White House, Trump said the suspect appeared to be acting alone, describing the incident as an attempted assassination.

“A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of the Secret Service,” Trump told a press conference at the White House shortly after the suspect was arrested at the scene.

“They seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too,” he said, after sharing footage showing the man running past security before being confronted.

The president revealed that one officer was shot at close range but did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

He also raised concerns about the venue’s security, suggesting it may not have been strong enough given the circumstances.

Trump said he initially mistook the sound of gunfire for something minor, like a tray falling, before realizing the seriousness of the situation.

Despite the incident, the president expressed plans to reschedule the event within the next month.

Trump added that investigators had searched the suspect’s residence and believed he was from California.

Later that night, federal agents were seen outside a home in Torrance, where police sealed off the area.

Authorities said the suspect, believed to have been staying at the hotel, was carrying multiple weapons, including a shotgun, a handgun, and knives.

He is expected to appear in court on Monday to face charges related to firearms and assault.

Washington police confirmed that officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, revealing that a Secret Service officer was hit in his protective vest and taken to the hospital but was reported to be in stable condition.

“Law enforcement exchanged gunfire with the individual,” Washington police chief Jeffery Carroll told reporters. “A US Secret Service uniformed division officer was struck in his vest. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He appears to be in good spirits.”

Several media outlets identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, though the FBI did not confirm his identity, saying it had no further details beyond what had already been shared.

An online profile believed to belong to the suspect described him as a mechanical engineer, computer scientist, game developer, and teacher.

This is not the first time Trump has faced such threats. In 2024, he was injured during a shooting at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where a bystander was killed. Later that year, another suspect was arrested near a golf course in Florida after being spotted with a rifle.

Despite years of criticizing the media, Trump had been invited to this year’s correspondents’ dinner. The event, often called the “Nerd Prom,” brings together journalists, politicians, and public figures to raise money for scholarships and awards. Unlike past presidents, Trump had never attended the dinner while in office, and this year’s event did not feature a comedian, which is usually part of the tradition.

Watch the video below:

BREAKING: President Trump has shared footage of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting and a photo of the suspect. pic.twitter.com/3H1M7hwKbj

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 26, 2026

President Trump and Vice President JD Vance were rushed off the stage after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.#news pic.twitter.com/YQuG8gzTMf

— MS NOW (@MSNOWNews) April 26, 2026

KanyiDaily had reported how Donald Trump was escorted off the stage at his rally in Pennsylvania after being shot in the ear during a rally in Pennsylvania in 2024.