Suspect armed with multiple weapons at White House dinner

The suspect in a shooting incident outside a high-profile correspondents' dinner attended by President Donald Trump and senior U.S. officials was carrying guns and knives and is believed to have acted alone, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said Saturday night.

“We have no reason to believe anyone else was involved,” she said, adding there was no ongoing threat to the public.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the suspect faces firearms and assault charges.

The suspect was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press.

Trump later addressed reporters at the White House after he and other officials were evacuated from the annual White House correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton following reports of gunfire near a security screening area.

He said the suspect was armed with multiple weapons and was stopped by the Secret Service. One officer was shot at close range but was protected by a bulletproof vest.

“The vest did the job,” Trump said, adding the officer was “in great shape.”

According to Reuters, Trump said a man had charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons and praised law enforcement for acting quickly to stop him.

Trump said the suspect was taken into custody and posted photos and video on Truth Social, describing the incident as an attack on the Constitution while highlighting the swift response by security forces.

He also called for tighter security, criticising the Washington Hilton as “not a particularly secure building” and pointing to planned upgrades at the White House, including bulletproof glass and “drone-proof” protections.

Trump linked the shooting to what he described as a broader pattern of threats in recent years and urged Americans to resolve differences peacefully.

Despite the incident, he said the correspondents' dinner would be held within 30 days “bigger and better,” adding, “we’re not going to let anybody take over our society.”

He said he had wanted to remain at the event but was urged to leave by security officials who were still assessing potential threats.