A shooting occurred during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 25, causing panic among attendees. The event was held at the Hilton hotel, where President Donald Trump was scheduled to speak.
In response to the incident, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the violence via social media, expressing relief that Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other participants were unharmed. He emphasized that such acts of violence are unacceptable in a democratic society.
Following the gunfire, Trump and his team were quickly evacuated from the stage. Reports indicate that he was unharmed and is safe. The motives behind the suspect’s actions remain unclear, but he has been apprehended, with formal charges expected to be filed on April 27.
Witnesses described chaos as the armed individual entered the ballroom, prompting guests to seek shelter under tables and on the floor. The suspect was stopped at a security perimeter, and the FBI has confirmed his detention.
The shooter has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Thomas from Torrance, California. Initial reports of injuries or the suspect’s death have not been substantiated; he is currently in custody. This incident marks another attempt on Trump’s life, following a previous attack in July 2024, where a 20-year-old assailant injured him during a rally in Pennsylvania.
A shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington led to a swift evacuation of attendees, including President Trump. The incident has drawn condemnation from Ukrainian officials, highlighting ongoing concerns about violence against public figures.