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<\/div>\nUS President Donald Trump narrowly escaped harm after a shooting scare disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, turning one of the capital\u2019s most prominent social and political gatherings into a scene of panic, lockdown and intense security action. Gunfire erupted near a screening checkpoint outside the Washington Hilton shortly before Trump was scheduled to address the ballroom, forcing Secret Service agents to shield and evacuate the president, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and senior members of the administration.The suspect was quickly subdued and taken into custody, but the shockwaves of the incident continued through the day as investigators pieced together the motive, Trump addressed the nation, and new details emerged about the accused attacker. The incident has also renewed scrutiny of security arrangements around major political events and added to the long list of threats and assassination attempts involving Trump in recent years.<\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n Trump\u2019s First Address After Chilling \u2018Assassination Attempt\u2019 At Washington Hilton<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, attended by around 2,600 guests including journalists, politicians, diplomats and celebrities, was underway when witnesses reported hearing multiple loud bangs from near the entrance security area. Initial confusion spread through the ballroom as many believed the shots had been fired inside the venue.Also read – Watch: Donald Trump ducks for cover as security rushes to evacuate him after shots heard at White House press dinner<\/a><\/p>\n Guests screamed and ducked under tables while waiters abandoned service and security personnel stormed into the hall. Some witnesses described glasses shattering, chairs overturning and people scrambling for cover as heavily armed officers moved rapidly toward the dais where Trump had been seated.The Secret Service later clarified that the suspect had charged a magnetometer checkpoint in the hotel lobby area and had not entered the ballroom itself.<\/p>\n Within seconds of the first shots, Secret Service agents surrounded Trump and escorted him away from the ballroom. Melania Trump was also moved out under heavy guard. Vice President JD Vance and several Cabinet officials were separately evacuated.Reports said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum were among those pushed to the ground or moved behind cover before being escorted out.Trump was later taken back to the White House, where he addressed reporters after the immediate threat had passed.<\/p>\n One of the most significant updates from the incident was confirmation that a law enforcement officer was struck by gunfire during the confrontation with the suspect.Trump said the officer survived because he was wearing a bullet-resistant vest.\u201cOne officer was shot, but saved… the vest did the job. I just spoke to the officer, and he’s doing great,\u201d Trump told reporters.Officials later said the officer was transported for treatment and remained in good spirits.<\/p>\n Authorities identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old resident of Torrance, California, who was taken into custody shortly after the shooting near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner venue. Law enforcement officials said Allen was apprehended after allegedly charging a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton while carrying multiple weapons.According to investigators, Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives when officers intercepted him near the screening area. He was subdued after an exchange of gunfire with security personnel and later transported for medical evaluation before being formally booked.Also read: Developer, CalTech pass out \u2014 White House dinner shooter Cole Thomas Allen a ‘highly educated tutor’<\/a>Public records and social media profiles suggest Allen had an extensive academic background. He reportedly earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 and later completed a master\u2019s degree in computer science from California State University-Dominguez Hills.Allen was also linked to C2 Education, a tutoring and college admissions coaching company, where he reportedly worked for several years. A company social media post in 2024 had recognised him as \u201cteacher of the month.\u201dInvestigators are now reviewing Allen\u2019s digital footprint, travel history, personal associations and possible motive. CBS News reported that the suspect allegedly told authorities he wanted to target Trump administration officials, though federal agencies have not yet released a final motive. Prosecutors said he is expected to face multiple federal charges, with additional counts possible as the investigation continues.<\/p>\n CBS News reported that Allen told authorities after his arrest that he wanted to target Trump administration officials.Investigators have not yet publicly confirmed a final motive, but officials said they were examining the suspect\u2019s digital footprint, personal history, political views and travel records.Washington authorities said they currently believed the suspect acted alone and had no immediate evidence of accomplices.<\/p>\n Speaking after the incident, Trump repeatedly described the attacker as a disturbed individual and suggested he acted independently.\u201cThey seemed to think he’s a lone wolf, and I feel that too,\u201d Trump said.He also referred to the suspect as \u201ca sick person\u201d and said authorities were already searching the man\u2019s California residence.<\/p>\n In one of the most striking moments of his press conference, Trump reflected on why he believed such threats keep happening to him.\u201cWell, you know, I’ve studied assassinations,\u201d Trump said.\u201cAnd 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.\u201dTrump compared himself to historic leaders such as Abraham Lincoln and argued that political change often creates enemies.<\/p>\n Trump also dismissed suggestions that the attack would alter his approach to foreign policy, especially the ongoing conflict with Iran.\u201cIt’s not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran,\u201d he said, while adding that investigators had not found evidence linking the suspect to the conflict.He acknowledged, however, that authorities were still examining all possibilities.<\/p>\n Prime Minister Narendra Modi<\/a> strongly condemned the shooting scare in Washington and expressed relief that US President Donald Trump, the First Lady and Vice President JD Vance were safe following the security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner venue.In a statement posted on social media, PM Modi said, “Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned.”<\/p>\n Trump said he had wanted the event to continue and claimed he \u201cfought like hell to stay,\u201d but accepted that security protocols required evacuation.He later suggested the White House Correspondents’ Dinner could be rescheduled within 30 days.The annual dinner, a fixture of Washington life, is traditionally an evening of speeches, satire and networking between politicians and journalists. This year, it instead became the focus of a national security emergency.<\/p>\n The Washington Hilton has a long history with presidential security. It was also the site of the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan<\/a>.Saturday night\u2019s attack is likely to raise new concerns about how an armed suspect carrying multiple weapons was able to approach such a high-security event.Officials said the layered checkpoint system ultimately prevented the attacker from entering the ballroom, but investigations are now focused on how he got as close as he did.<\/p>\n Poll<\/p>\n How do you react to comment by Trump about studying assassinations?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n The latest scare adds to an already extraordinary list of threats involving Trump.He survived a 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a gunman wounded him in the ear during a rally. Another suspect was arrested near Trump International Golf Club in Florida later that year.Also read: More than a dozen threats & assassination attempts \u2014 Timeline of attacks against Donald Trump<\/a>Other incidents have included poison-letter plots, armed intruders and multiple foreign-linked threats.<\/p>\n Federal agencies including the FBI, Secret Service and Washington police are now reviewing surveillance footage, ballistic evidence and witness statements.Officials said more charges are possible and investigators are determined to understand whether warning signs were missed.For now, Trump has resumed public activity and signalled defiance after yet another violent threat.The White House, however, faces fresh questions about presidential security in an increasingly volatile political climate.<\/div>\n\nShooting erupts near White House dinner venue<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nTrump, Melania and top officials rushed to safety<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Officer shot, bulletproof vest saves life<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Suspect identified as Cole
Suspect allegedly wanted to target Trump officials<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Trump says suspect was a ‘lone wolf’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
‘I’ve studied assassinations’: Donald Trump<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Trump says shooting will not affect Iran war stance<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
PM Modi condemns violence<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Dinner may be rescheduled<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Renewed questions over venue security<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Another chapter in Trump threat timeline<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Investigation continues<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n