US Secret Service agents immediately escorted Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials from the stage after reports of shots fired outside a media event attended by US President Donald Trump in Washington DC on Saturday night.The incident occurred at the Washington Hilton, where a man armed with several weapons opened fire near a security checkpoint outside the ballroom, where the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was taking place.This incident occurred shortly before Trump addressed the gathering. As soon as the shooting occurred, US Secret Service agents immediately moved in to secure the venue.Multiple viral videos showed agents dragging J.D. Vance and carrying him off the stage within seconds, while tactical teams with weapons took up positions around the ballroom.Trump, first lady Melania Trump, JD Vance, second lady Usha Vance and other senior officials were quickly escorted out as chaos broke out among the guests. Many attendees, including journalists and political leaders, cowered under tables in fear.After the shooting, there was a stampede at the venue and people started moving away from there, crying Erica Kirk was also seen leaving the venue. In a video shared by a CNN reporter and widely circulated on social media, she can be heard saying, “I just want to go home,” as security let her go.A C-SPAN reporter present at the dinner said, “Boom, boom, boom, boom is all I heard and several guests ducked under the tables.”Police immediately surrounded the hotel, while helicopters hovered above as part of a massive security response. When the suspect attempted to break through the checkpoint, armed guards surrounded him, officials said. The attacker was caught before he could reach the main event area.“I heard a noise and I thought it was a tray going down. I’ve heard that many times. It was a very loud sound and was coming from quite a distance. He (the attacker) had not even reached the area. They really got him,” Trump said later, recalling the moment.Officials confirmed that no dignitaries or guests were injured. A Secret Service officer was “hit in the vest” during the shootout but was unhurt.The suspect, identified as Cole Thomas Allen, 31, of California, was taken into custody. He was reportedly armed with a shotgun, handgun and several knives. Officials said it appeared he was working alone.Law enforcement officials said the accused faces charges including use of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer.“They think he was a lone wolf, and I think so,” Trump said at a news conference. He further said that the ceremony would be rescheduled within 30 days. He also raised concerns about the security of the venue, describing it as “not a particularly safe” facility.The attack has placed a renewed focus on security at high-profile political events, especially given past incidents. The Washington Hilton was also the site of an assassination attempt on former President Ronald Reagan in 1981.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.
