WATCH: Moment armed gunman charges through security at Trump dinner event
This is the moment a gunman armed with multiple weapons stormed through a security at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
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The blurry security footage shows a man sprinting through the metal detectors of the checkpoint just outside the ballroom of Washington Hilton hotel, as officers race toward him with their guns drawn.
One Secret Service officer was shot at very close range, but was saved by his bullet-proof vest, Trump later said.
Donald and Melania Trump were evacuated from the event on Saturday evening and have confirmed to be unhurt.
Pictures from the scene show senior government officials and hundreds of other black-tie guests who had gathered for the media gala take cover under tables.
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The President, other administration officials and members of Congress were evacuated from the room by security as the shocking event unfolded.
The Washington Hilton has been the location of a previous attempted presidential assassination when then president Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr outside the hotel in 1981.
The suspect has now been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, who is understood to have been a guest in the hotel.
Police say the suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives.
He was not shot, and is being evaluated in the hospital.
A post by President Trump appears to show Allen pinned to the ground after being apprehended by officers.
It is understood he is in a state of undress after being searched for explosive devices, although this has not been confirmed.
Allen, from Torrance, California, faces charges including assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon - with acting attorney general Todd Blanche saying additional charges will be filed.
Footage is also emerging of FBI agents and police officers searching an address believed to be linked to the alleged gunman.
Images and footage shows a heavy police presence in the neighbourhood of Torrance, California.
A number of world leaders have reacted to the shooting.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "shocked" by the incident in a social media post.
"Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms," he wrote.
He added it was a "huge relief" that the US President, the First Lady and all those attending were safe.
I am shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington overnight.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 26, 2026
Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
It is a huge relief that @POTUS, the First Lady and all those…