US Secret Service agents quickly escorted Vice President J.D. Vance and other senior officials from the theater after a shooting was reported outside a media event attended by US President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, on Saturday evening.The incident occurred at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where a man armed with multiple weapons opened fire near a security checkpoint outside the ballroom, where the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was taking place.
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Trump rushes out after security incident at event in Washington; Melania was escorted safely
The incident occurred shortly before Trump was scheduled to address the rally. As gunshots rang out, US Secret Service agents moved quickly to secure the place.
Several viral videos show patrons dragging and escorting J.D. Vance off the stage within seconds, while tactical teams with their weapons drawn took up positions around the dance floor.Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, J.D. Vance, Second Lady Osha Vance and other senior officials were quickly escorted out as chaos spread among the guests. Many attendees, including journalists and political leaders, hid under tables in fear.Erica Kirk was seen crying as she was escorted out of the place after the shooting sparked a state of panic and evacuation in the place. In a video, shared by a CNN reporter and widely circulated on social media, she was heard saying, “I just want to go home,” as security directed her away.
“Boom, boom, boom, boom is all I heard, and several guests hid under the table,” said a C-SPAN reporter who was present at the dinner.Police quickly surrounded the hotel, while helicopters flew overhead as part of a large-scale security response. Officials said that armed guards clashed with the suspect as he attempted to breach the checkpoint. The attacker was subdued before reaching the main event area.“I heard a noise and I kind of thought it was a tray falling. I’ve heard that many times.”
It was a very loud sound, and it came from a very far away place. The attacker did not reach the area at all. They really caught him,” Trump said later, recalling that moment.The authorities confirmed that no dignitaries or guests were injured. One Secret Service officer was hit in the vest during the shootout but remained safe.The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen of California, was arrested.
He was reportedly armed with a rifle, a handgun and several knives. Officials said he appeared to be acting alone.Law enforcement officials said the defendant will face charges that include using a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer.“They seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that way too,” Trump said at a press conference, adding that the ceremony would be rescheduled within 30 days.
He also raised concerns about the security of the venue, describing it as a facility that was “not particularly safe”.The attack has renewed focus on security at high-profile political events, especially in light of past events. The Washington Hilton was also the site of the 1981 assassination attempt on former President Ronald Reagan.The latest scare comes amid heightened political tensions and follows previous attempts on Trump’s life, including a shooting at a 2024 rally in Pennsylvania.
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