President Trump told reporters late Saturday that he wanted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner to continue after he was evacuated when shots were fired outside the Washington Hilton during the event.
Three law enforcement sources identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California. Officials said the suspect is in custody and hospitalized. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the investigation is “ongoing” and that charges will be filed “shortly.”
Trump said a Secret Service agent was struck by a round but was protected by a bulletproof vest. He described himself as “very far away” when the shots were fired and said the suspect “hadn’t come anywhere close to breach the doors of the room.” Asked whether he felt threatened, he replied, “It’s a dangerous profession.”
The president released photos of the suspect and a clip of security video, saying they showed “the violence of this thug that attacked the Constitution, and also showing how quickly Secret Service and law enforcement acted.”
According to law enforcement sources, the evacuation happened shortly after 8:30 p.m. ET after gunfire sent attendees ducking under tables. Secret Service agents quickly escorted Trump and first lady Melania Trump off the stage. Sources said the suspect was armed with a shotgun and a handgun.
Trump said he initially thought the noise was a “tray going down” before realizing it was gunfire. He called Melania “very cognisant” and said they were “really whisked away” alongside others.
Law enforcement sources told CBS News the suspect told investigators he wanted to shoot Trump administration officials; one source said the suspect did not explicitly state he was targeting the president himself.
Trump said one officer had been shot “from very close distance with a very powerful gun” but was saved by wearing a strong bulletproof vest and was in good spirits after speaking with him.
Speaking about the night’s mood, Trump said the event—intended to bring together the press and members of both parties—produced a striking moment of unity. “I saw a room that was just totally unified. It was, in one way, very beautiful,” he said.
He said the dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days and that he had “fought like hell” to keep the event going, though law enforcement advised otherwise.
When White House Correspondents’ Association president and CBS News correspondent Weijia Jiang asked what he felt during the shooting, Trump said, “It’s always shocking when something like this happens,” and noted it never really changes how shocking such moments are.
On political violence more broadly, he said “no country is immune” and urged people to resolve differences, praising the diverse mix of attendees—Republicans, Democrats, independents, conservatives, liberals and progressives—and the “tremendous amount of love and coming together” he observed.
Jennifer Jacobs contributed to this report.