Gunman breaks into White House correspondents' dinner in the presence of Trump

A gunman opened fire in the lobby of the Washington Hilton Hotel last night, where US President Donald Trump is attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

US media reported that President Trump was unharmedly evacuated from the White House Correspondents' Dinner by his security team, following a shooting incident that took place inside the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the ceremony was held.

In press statements following the incident, Trump announced that a security officer was injured during the arrest of the perpetrator, praising the performance of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies.

He also ruled out any Iranian connection to the attack, based on preliminary investigations indicating that the attacker acted alone.

The Associated Press reported that the perpetrator was a 31-year-old man from California, Cole Thomas Allen.

Incident Details

At  8:30 p.m.  US time, while Trump was talking with US journalist  Wejia Jiang, loud gunshots rang out, shattering pots and scattering cups.

In an instant, the hall of more than 250 tables and elite Washington officials turned into a sea of prostrate bodies, with ministers and journalists hiding under tables and wrapped in white tablecloths to escape bullets.

At lightning speed, Secret Service operatives rushed toward the platform, with Vice President J.D. Vance evacuated first, followed by Trump amid strict instructions to clear the road.

The stampede injured a number of attendees, including Justice Department official Harmit Dillon, who suffered a bruise on her head as security officers ran over tables.

Identity and confessions of the perpetrator

Law enforcement announced the arrest of the gunman, who turned out to be a teacher and game developer who had previously donated a small amount to Kamala Harris,  and police seized a pistol, rifle and knives, and investigations indicated he was a guest at the hotel.

Washington Attorney General Jeanine Perot said the attacker "clearly wanted to harm as many people as possible," while the perpetrator admitted to targeting Trump administration officials, with the gunman telling investigators he was targeting Trump administration officials.

The US president posted footage  from security cameras at the hotel, documenting the moment the gunman tried to "breach" security in  the reception area, while posting a photo of the suspect on his personal account on the "Truth Social" website.

Trump comments: The experience is painful

Following the incident, Trump emerged from the White House to reassure the public, describing the experience as "painful for Melania," who was with him and understood the situation as soon as he heard the call.

Trump praised  the work of the security services, but criticized the hotel's security protocols, saying, "It's not a particularly safe building," referring to the hotel's history of the 1981 assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan.

"One of the officers was wounded, but he survived because he was wearing a very good bulletproof vest," Trump said, adding:  "He was shot at very close range and with a very powerful weapon, but the vest did its job, I just talked to him, and he's fine and in perfect condition."

Trump explained that the suspect was armed with several weapons and resides in California, describing him as a "very sick person," adding, "My impression is that he was a lone wolf."

On the possibility that the incident is related to the war in Iran, Trump said: "I don't think so, and we'll find out soon. This incident won't stop me from winning the war in Iran, I don't know if it has anything to do with it, but based on what we know, I don't think so."

In a tone of self-esteem, Trump compared himself to President Abraham Lincoln,   saying that "those who make the biggest impact are the ones who are being targeted."

 Trump joked with the audience that he had been planning to give the "most inappropriate speech" to mock the media, but now he would have to be "very boring" next time.

Security and historical implications

The incident brought to mind the recurring security loopholes surrounding President Trump, from  the Butler incident in Pennsylvania to the "golf course" conversation.

Despite the horror, Trump vowed to return to dinner within 30 days, stressing that "we will not allow anyone to control our society," while investigators are still combing the hotel for any additional details before bringing the perpetrator to justice next Monday.