On Sunday, President Donald Trump took to his platform, Truth Social, to release security camera footage of the alleged shooter who opened fire at the entrance of the Washington Hilton during Saturday night's Annual White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Fox News described the footage as the first visual of the suspect, showing a man barging into the hotel's security screening area. Trump shared the video directly on his social media platform, ahead of any official release by law enforcement.
The shooting took place shortly after the event commenced, near the metal detectors at the entrance of the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., as approximately 2,600 attendees were present.
The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen from Torrance, California, fired between five and eight shots before being subdued by Secret Service agents and Washington D.C. police officers.
A Secret Service agent was struck by a bullet, but his bulletproof vest prevented serious injury. He was transported to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. Thankfully, there were no civilian casualties or fatalities.
President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and House Speaker Mike Johnson were safely evacuated. Trump left the venue around 9:45 p.m. and headed back to the White House.
Earlier, at 9:17 p.m., Trump had already posted on Truth Social confirming the suspect's arrest: "What a night we had in Washington D.C. The Secret Service and law enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted swiftly and bravely. The shooter has been arrested."
The President also announced the dinner would be rescheduled in 30 days: "We will reschedule. We will not let anyone take control of our society. We wanted to stay tonight."
Weijia Jiang, president of the Correspondents' Association, assured attendees that there were no civilian injuries and announced the event's rescheduling.
Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar recounted taking cover under a table near the door during the shooting.
The FBI, led by Kash Patel, has taken over the federal investigation and executed search warrants at the hotel where the suspect was staying in Washington and at his residence in California. Cole Allen is facing multiple charges, including assault on a federal officer and using a weapon in the commission of a crime, and was hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation following his arrest.
The motives behind the attack remain under investigation and were not immediately disclosed by authorities.
Trump's attendance at the Correspondents' Dinner was historically significant, as it marked his first participation as a sitting president during his second term, ending a boycott he had maintained in previous years.
Details on the White House Correspondents' Dinner Incident
Who was the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting?
The suspect was identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen from Torrance, California.
Were there any injuries during the shooting at the Washington Hilton?
A Secret Service agent was hit by a bullet, but his bulletproof vest prevented serious injury. There were no civilian injuries or fatalities.
What actions did President Trump take following the shooting?
President Trump safely evacuated the venue and announced the dinner would be rescheduled. He praised the swift response of the Secret Service and law enforcement.