A shooting incident during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., resulted in injuries to a Secret Service agent. The event, attended by former President Donald Trump, was disrupted when an armed man attempted to breach a security checkpoint at the hotel hosting the dinner.
According to Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and U.S. Attorney Janine Pirro, law enforcement quickly intervened, preventing the assailant from reaching the main event area. The injured agent was transported to a hospital, with their condition currently unspecified. The suspect was also taken to a medical facility.
City officials stated that there are no indications of additional suspects being involved in the attack. Pirro announced that the arrested individual has been charged with using a firearm in a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer with a weapon.
Washington Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll revealed that the attacker was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives. Preliminary reports suggest he was heading toward the area where Trump and other high-ranking officials were located.
The motives behind the attack remain unclear, and an investigation is ongoing. Sources within law enforcement indicated that the suspect expressed intentions to open fire on members of the Trump administration.
This incident marks a disturbing trend, as it follows a previous assassination attempt on Trump in July 2024, when a 20-year-old shot the former president during a rally in Pennsylvania, injuring him and others.
After the gunfire erupted, Trump and his team were swiftly evacuated from the stage. Initial reports confirm that he was unharmed and is safe. Witnesses described a scene of panic, with attendees taking cover under tables and on the floor. The FBI has confirmed that the assailant was apprehended at the security perimeter.
The shooter has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Thomas from Torrance, California. Earlier claims regarding his injury or death have not been substantiated, and he remains in custody as authorities continue to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner injured a Secret Service agent and led to the arrest of an armed man. The motives of the suspect are still under investigation, as law enforcement continues to assess the situation.