Live: Donald Trump releases image of 'lone' gunman, says he was target of shooting

In a striking historical parallel, the incident occurred at the same hotel where an assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan took place more than four decades ago.

On 30 March 1981, John Hinckley Jr fired six shots during an attempted assassination of the former US president at the Washington Hilton.

One bullet reportedly ricocheted off the presidential limousine and struck Reagan in the chest, while three other people were also believed to be wounded at the time.

More than 40 years ago, the Washington Hilton was the site of the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981. Credit: (Source: Ron Edmonds, AP Images)

The latest incident marks the third major security event involving Trump in less than two years.

In July 2024, Trump was shot in the right ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Two months later, a man carrying a rifle was arrested in the bushes at Trump International Golf Club.

— Mikele Syron

Thanks for joining us on this live blog covering the shooting incident at the White House correspondents' dinner.

If you're just catching up, here's what you need to know:

• United States President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association dinner by Secret Service agents after a man opened fire with a shotgun on security personnel.
• The shooting suspect has been named as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, according to Associated Press. Allen is now in custody.
• Trump described the suspect as a "sick" individual and "a would-be assassin who sought to kill".
• US authorities said they could not yet confirm whether the president was the intended target, despite Trump's assertion. Local police said they could not specify the "specific motivation" but described him as a "lone gunman".
• The suspect is to be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer.

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

— Rashida Yosufzai

Cameron Watts from SBS News' social team has clipped together parts of Trump's speech, including the moment when he said he was "honoured" to be the target of what he suspected was an assassination attempt.

Trump also reflected on the history of political assassinations during his address, suggesting that those who are targeted are the most "impactful" people in history.

Authorities have said they could not yet confirm whether the president was the intended target of the incident.

— Alexandra Koster, Cameron Watts

There were multiple journalists in attendance at the dinner who have shared their first-hand experiences.

Alexandra Ingersoll, a correspondent for One America News, told Agence France-Presse she was inside when the commotion began and saw Secret Service spring into action to protect the president.

"I just ducked under the table, and I was like 'I'm not going to risk this,'" she told AFP. "I didn't know if the shooter was neutralised or what was going on."

With still few details on what actually occurred, the entire ballroom was evacuated, and several hundred guests made their way into the Hilton lobby and out into the chilly air.

Guests were seen hugging, making calls, texting friends and loved ones, and their news bureaus.

ABC's Americas Editor John Lyons was in the room when the incident unfolded.

"What happened was when those people heard some shots, apparently three or four shots outside the actual main room, suddenly shouts went up from Secret Service who were dotted all through the ballroom," Lyons said.

At about 8.40pm local time, an AFP reporter saw police officers racing through the streets surrounding the Hilton, lifting barriers, ushering passersby over to different streets, and clearing cars from the area as quickly as possible. A helicopter circled overhead.

A few minutes later, a motorcade left the Hilton, in the direction of the White House.

— Alexandra Koster, with reporting by Agence France-Presse

Donald Trump has said the Washington Hilton was “not a particularly secure building", after law enforcement reviewed the conditions surrounding the incident.

At a law enforcement press conference, Metropolitan Police Department chief of police Jeffery Carroll was asked whether the incident reflected a failure by the Secret Service.

According to reports by the ABC, Carroll said security at the event involved a “multi-layered” approach.

He reportedly explained that metropolitan police officers were stationed outside alongside escort teams, while the Secret Service and partner agencies were responsible for security inside the venue.

Donald Trump attended the White House correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton. Credit: (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

He also said the checkpoint the suspect is accused of rushing was intended to screen people entering the hotel.

Carroll added that once the individual reached that point, officers and agents responded immediately, taking the suspect into custody and preventing anyone from being harmed.

Responding to the security concerns, Trump pointed to plans for a new ballroom at the White House, saying it would be larger and “much more secure".

He said the project, reportedly costing around $400 million, will feature bullet-resistant glass and protection against drones, adding that the Secret Service and military support the need for such a facility.

— Mikele Syron

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has given a short statement responding to the incident.

"I am pleased to hear the President and the First Lady, along with all attendees at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, are safe," he said in a statement.

"We applaud the work of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies for their swift action."

— Alexandra Koster

The shooting suspect has been named as Cole Tomas Allen, according to Associated Press.

They have reported that Allen was a 31-year-old from Torrance, California.

Donald Trump also released an image of the suspect on his social media platform, Truth Social, which appeared to be taken after the incident.

Trump said FBI agents were searching the suspect's home in California.

Donald Trump released an image of the suspect on his social media platform, Truth Social. Source: Supplied / Donald Trump / Truth Social

Authorities have said they cannot confirm whether the president was the intended target of the incident, despite Trump's assertion during his press conference that it was an assassination attempt.

Jeff Carroll, the interim chief of police of the Metropolitan Police Department, said the suspect was running in the direction of the ballroom where Trump and cabinet members were attending the dinner.

"The individual charged the checkpoint with a fire on his hand," Carroll said.

"What the specific motivation was, we can't say at this point."

"However, as we continue to investigate that, we'll continue to work towards that."

Carroll also said he believed the suspect was a guest at the Washington Hilton, where the incident happened.

"We do believe he was a guest here at the hotel," he said, adding that the room linked to the suspect had been secured and will be searched as part of the investigation.

Carroll said he believes the suspect acted alone.

— Alexandra Koster

Trump has released a video depicting CCTV footage of the incident.

Footage appeared to show a man running through a corridor with several security officials present, many of whom then reached for their guns.

Trump posted the video on his social media platform, Truth Social.

— Alexandra Koster

Authorities have provided an update at a separate press conference immediately following Trump's remarks.

Jeff Carroll, interim chief of police of the Metropolitan Police Department, said that at approximately 8.36pm, an individual charged a US Secret Service checkpoint in the lobby of the Washington Hilton.

"He was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives," Carroll said.

"As he ran through that checkpoint, members of law enforcement from the United States Secret Service intercepted that individual."

"Law enforcement exchanged gunfire with the individual."

A US Secret Service officer was struck and transported to a local hospital, where he is reported to be in a stable condition.

READ MORE

Suspected shooter in custody after Trump evacuated from White House correspondents' dinner

The suspect was not struck by gunfire but was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

DC mayor Muriel Bowser said authorities have "no reason to believe at this time that anyone else was involved".

Carroll described the suspect as a "lone" gunman.

Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, confirmed the charges against the suspect.

"The defendant is being charged with two counts — using a firearm during a crime of violence, and a second crime under 111, which is assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon."

— Alexandra Koster

The secret service and other authorities rushed into the banquet hall at the Washington Hilton as guests ducked under tables.

You can see First Lady Melania Trump's face change in this clip as she realised what was happening.

— Rashida Yosufzai

Trump also mentioned Iran several times during the press conference in response to journalists' questions.

Asked if the incident was linked to the war in Iran, Trump said he did not believe so.

"I don't think so. But you never know," he said.

"We're going to know a lot well. We have the best people in the world working on it, and we're going to know a lot."

Later, when asked if he was concerned about political violence, Trump expanded on the Iran threat.

READ MORE

'Talking about nothing': Peace talks in limbo as Trump cancels envoys' Pakistan trip

"We can't let them get a nuclear weapon. Everything will be peanuts compared to that if they ever were given a nuclear weapon — and they'd use it too."

Trump said he had ordered B-2 bombers to strike Iran's nuclear facilities, citing the threat as a justification.

"When you do things like that, you become a target," Trump said. "If I wasn't doing that, I guess I'd be a lot less of a target, but I'm honoured to be."

Trump's final statement before leaving the press conference also mentioned the war in Iran.

"It's not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran. I don't know if that had anything to do with it — I really don't think so, based on what we know."

— Alexandra Koster

Acting US attorney general Todd Blanche says he expects charges to be filed against the shooter shortly.

"There will be multiple charges surrounding the shooting, around the possession of firearms and anything else that we can get on this guy."

The secret service and other authorities swarmed the banquet hall as guests ducked under tables by the hundreds. Source: AP / Mark Schiefelbein

He said the investigation had just started and was ongoing.

One security officer who intervened in the incident was injured, he added.

FBI director Kash Patel said his teams were examining all the ballistics that were found on the crime scene, to include the long gun and the shell casings.

"We are conducting witness interviews as we speak."

— Rashida Yosufzai

Trump also reflected on the history of political assassinations during his address, suggesting that those who are targeted are the most "impactful" people in history.

"I've studied assassinations and I must tell you the most impactful people, the people that do the most ... the people that make the biggest impact, they're the ones that they go after," Trump said.

"They don't go after the ones that don't do much, because they like it that way."

Trump added that he found a degree of honour in being targeted.

"When you look at the people that have — whether it was an attempt or a successful attempt — they're very impactful people. Just take a look at the names, the big names."

"And I hate to say I'm honoured by that, but I've done a lot."

The president went on to claim credit for transforming the United States' standing in the world.

"We've taken this country and we were a laughing stock for years, and now we're the hottest country anywhere in the world. We've changed this country."

Trump said his desire to live was driven by his ambition for the country.

"It's my life, and I want to live because I want to make this country great. That's why I want to live. But when you're impactful, they go after you. When you're not impactful, they leave you alone."

"Nobody told me this was such a dangerous profession."

— Alexandra Koster

Trump describes the incident saying he heard a noise he mistook for a tray falling.

"I've heard that many times, and it was pretty loud noise, and it was from quite far away. He hadn't reached the area at all," he said.

"It's always shocking when something like this happens."

Trump said the suspected shooter was "running full blast".

"And they got him before they got any further. I was very far away."

He described the shooter as a "lone wolf, a whack job".

— Rashida Yosufzai

Trump also paid tribute to First Lady Melania Trump, who was present at the dinner during the incident.

"I want to thank the First Lady, for that was a rather traumatic experience for her," Trump said.

"There was a lot of action taking place up there very quickly. But again, the response time was really incredible."

Trump was evacuated from the White House correspondents' dinner after suspected gunshots rang out at the black-tie event. Source: Reuters

He added that Melania was aware of the danger immediately.

"Melania was very cognizant, I think, of what happened. I think she knew immediately what happened.

"She was saying, that's a bad noise. And we were whisked away along with other people."

— Alexandra Koster

Trump said he was grateful for the swift response of law enforcement.

"This is not the first time in the past couple of years that a Republican has been attacked by a would-be assassin who sought to kill," Trump said.

"In light of this evening's events, I asked that all Americans recommit with their hearts and resolve our differences peacefully. We have to resolve our differences."

Trump confirmed the suspect had been captured and was believed to be from California.

"He's a sick person, a very sick person, and we don't want things like this to happen," he said.

One law enforcement official has been injured, Todd Blanche, acting United States attorney general said.

— Alexandra Koster

United States President Donald Trump is now speaking at the White House, his first appearance since the shooting.

"That was very unexpected, but incredibly acted upon by Secret Service and law enforcement," Trump said.

— Alexandra Koster

The White House correspondents' dinner is a high-profile event with multiple important government officials in attendance.

Vice president JD Vance, FBI director Kash Patel, and secretary of defense Pete Hegseth were all in attendance at the event.

“The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition. We will be speaking to you in half an hour. I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Security rapidly escort Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. out during the White House Correspondents Dinner. Credit: Tom Brenner/AP

The black-tie event also saw many journalists in the room, many of whom have now made their way to the White House to cover Trump's press conference, still in gowns and suits.

In previous years, the event also saw high-profile celebrities in attendance, including Kim Kardashian.

— Alexandra Koster