US President Donald Trump was evacuated by security guards after an assassination attempt and exchange of fire at a hotel in the US capital. The incident occurred during a White House dinner for journalists attended by the president.
The White House quickly announced that the president was unharmed and in a secure location. Trump himself said, "A pretty unusual evening in Washington, DC. The shooter was caught, let the show go on. The Secret Service and law enforcement did a great job. They acted quickly and bravely."
Panic broke out during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington after gunshots were heard near the event hall at the Washington Hilton hotel. Within seconds, Secret Service agents stormed into the hall with weapons drawn, ordered those present to "get down," and quickly evacuated US President Donald Trump from the stage, along with his wife, Melania Trump, and senior administration officials.
According to reports on social media, the shooter was a teacher from California named Cole Tomas Allen. Reuters reported that the shooter was injured and evacuated for medical evaluation. It was also reported that the man was armed with a hunting rifle, a pistol and several knives. According to Washington police, the man had been staying at one of the city's hotels.
Tal Naim, spokeswoman for the Israeli Embassy, who was in the hall, told Hayom, "As the embassy spokeswoman, I attend the event every year. This was my third year, together with other diplomats and senior figures from the media world and the US administration.
"We arrived at the hall at the beginning of the event, sat down at the tables and the dinner began. About 20 minutes into the event, shots were heard and security forces instructed those in the room to take cover, while evacuating senior US officials, including the president, his vice president Vance, Defense Secretary Hegseth and others. We hid under the tables for about 10 minutes until they evacuated us from the hall," Naim said.
"There was a great deal of panic, but unfortunately, as an Israeli, I am trained for situations like this, and I tried to stay calm and calm those around me, who were very frightened. We were all very relieved when the suspect's arrest was reported. I'm glad the evening ended with no casualties, and I'm glad to be home with my family," the Israeli said.
Other eyewitnesses said many participants dove under the tables as security forces took control of the scene. Fox News correspondent John Roberts reported from inside the hall that "shots were fired" and that the shooting suspect was "taken down by the Secret Service," while anchor Bret Baier noted that, from his impression, the shooting did not take place inside the hall itself. At the same time, Vice President J.D. Vance and cabinet members were also quickly evacuated from the scene.
White House officials stressed that Trump, the first lady and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt were "safe and unharmed," as were the other members of the administration. An administration official told CNN that "the president is safe," but at this stage the motive behind the incident remains unclear. The shooting suspect was captured in an outdoor part of the hotel complex, not inside the hall itself.
The event, one of the most prominent fixtures on the US political and media calendar, was transformed within moments from a festive gathering of journalists, politicians and public figures into a secured emergency scene. Authorities have opened an investigation into the circumstances of the shooting, and at this point it is unclear whether it originated inside the complex or outside it.
