Trump Releases Footage After Hilton Shooting
What was supposed to be a formal night in Washington turned into a fast-moving security scare on Saturday. President Donald Trump said shots were fired in the lobby of the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, forcing him, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President Vance, and others to leave quickly.
The president later said the Secret Service and other law enforcement officers moved fast and handled the scene. He said the suspect was identified as Cole Allen, 31, of Torrence, California. Trump also said a Secret Service agent was shot during the encounter with the gunman.
During a press conference in the White House briefing room, Trump showed footage of Allen in the hotel lobby and also released a photo of the suspect. The images were shared as officials worked through the immediate response and tried to get a handle on what happened inside one of Washington’s best-known hotels.
The incident sent people out of the ballroom and interrupted an event that was already underway. Trump said law enforcement wanted the premises cleared, and he followed that request. He also told reporters that the First Lady, the Vice President, and Cabinet members were safe.
Trump posted the following statement on Truth Social:
Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we “LET THE SHOW GO ON” but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly.
Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again. President DONALD J. TRUMP
He later added another update saying he would not return to the ballroom at law enforcement’s request. He said the White House would handle the next step from there and that the event would be pushed back within 30 days.
Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately. I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room.
The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition. We will be speaking to you in a half an hour. I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days. President DONALD J. TRUMP
The night ended very differently than planned. A black-tie event became a security response, and the focus shifted from dinner speeches to the safety of the people inside and the officers who moved in to stop the threat. For everyone involved, it was a reminder that in seconds, a routine evening can turn serious.