Donald Trump evacuated as suspect armed with guns and knives storms White House Correspondents' Dinner

A man armed with guns and knives has been arrested after storming the White House Correspondents’ Dinner attended by President Donald Trump on Saturday night (1:30am UK time).

The man had an encounter with Secret Service agents after charging a security checkpoint in the lobby of the building, shots were fired as guests hid under tables.

The president was uninjured after being rushed off stage and kept in a holding room.

A video posted by President Trump to Truth Social shows Secret Service agents responding to the suspect as he rushes the building. The alleged gunman is then pictured on the ground after being detained. One officer was shot in a bullet-resistant vest but is recovering, officials say.

"A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service." - President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/N3UTveVNFM

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 26, 2026

The man armed with multiple weapons was said to be a guest at the Washington Hilton where the dinner was being held. He was taken into custody and is expected in court on Monday.

The shooting suspect has been named as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, a teacher of Torrance, California. He is facing two firearm-related charges, including a count of assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon.

Police said they had not yet established a motive, although CBS reports he was targeting Trump officials.

No civilian injuries were reported, with the event attended by approximately 2,600 prominent guests, including Vice-President JD Vance, President Trump's wife Melania, journalists and politicians.

Mr Trump was initially held in a Presidential Suite, as he along with organisers looked to resume the event. He was eventually escorted back to the White House upon advice of the Secret Service - the dinner will be rescheduled.

Speaking at the White House two hours later, Mr Trump said: “When you’re impactful, they go after you. When you’re not impactful, they leave you alone. They seem to think he was a lone wolf.”

Asked about his message to the world, following the shooting - the third incident during his second term, he said:

"You can have the greatest security in the world but if you've got a whack job whose brain is distorted, they can make trouble,"

FBI director Kash Patel said the agency is examining a long gun and shell casings recovered from the scene, and interviewing witnesses from the event.

He urged anyone with information to come forward as authorities continue to investigate.