A shooting occurred on April 25 during the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., where President Donald Trump was scheduled to speak. Eyewitnesses reported a swift transition from confusion to panic among attendees as the sound of gunfire rang out.
Alex Raufoglu, a correspondent for Radio Free Europe, described the immediate reactions of the guests. “You could feel the change right away, as people quickly moved from bewilderment to understanding what was happening. Some immediately sought cover under tables, while others froze momentarily, trying to comprehend the situation. But within moments, the entire room realized it was gunfire,” he recounted.
Guests showed concern for one another, checking in to ensure everyone was safe. Raufoglu noted, “People were making eye contact, staying close together. We had spent several hours together that evening, having attended a few previous events, so there was a sense of camaraderie in the room.”
The U.S. Secret Service promptly evacuated President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance from the scene. Attendees were instructed to remain calm and stay put. “A few seconds later, we were informed that the suspect had been neutralized, but we were still told to stay in place and await further instructions,” Raufoglu added.
Security measures at the event were reportedly heightened compared to previous years. Following the shooting, reports indicated that a man had entered the ballroom, causing panic as people sought shelter. The suspect was apprehended at a security perimeter, as confirmed by the FBI.
The shooter has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Thomas from Torrance, California. Initial reports about his injuries or death have not been substantiated; he remains in custody. Rapid response units were deployed, and the circumstances surrounding the incident are still being investigated.
This incident marks the second attack on President Trump. In July 2024, during a rally in Pennsylvania, a 20-year-old named Thomas Crooks shot the president, injuring him in the ear. This attack also resulted in injuries to two bystanders and one fatality.
Earlier, a U.S. appeals court allowed President Trump’s administration to temporarily continue construction of a planned ballroom at the White House while returning a key issue to a lower court for review.
A shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner led to immediate evacuations and heightened security. The suspect, Cole Thomas, has been apprehended, and investigations are ongoing.
Source: Radio Free Europe