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Law enforcement officials say a suspect has been taken into custody following the April 25 shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner attended by President Donald Trump and the first lady, with multiple national outlets identifying the individual as a 31-year-old man from California.

The New York Times, CBS, the Associated Press, and other media organizations reported that the suspect is Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, citing unnamed law enforcement sources. USA TODAY said it has not independently confirmed the identity.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro told reporters that the suspect is expected to appear in federal court on April 27, where he will face charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. She said additional charges, including terrorism, have not been ruled out.

“If there’s anything like that we will find it, and we will file it,” she said.

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said the suspect was taken to a hospital for evaluation, and confirmed that a Secret Service agent who was struck in his bulletproof vest was also transported for medical care.

Bowser and Jeffrey Carroll, the interim chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, said investigators believe the individual in custody acted alone.

Carroll added that the suspect is believed to have been staying as a guest at the Washington Hilton, where the event took place.

President Trump, who was escorted out of the ballroom after gunfire was reported in the lobby area, told reporters that the suspect “charged 50 yards” in an attempt to bypass a security checkpoint and was carrying multiple weapons.

He also shared security footage showing a person running past security and another clip depicting the individual being subdued on the ground.

Kash Patel said the suspect was armed with a long gun. Police in Washington, D.C., reported that the individual was carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives.

“The evidence response unit is examining all the ballistics that were found on scene to include the long gun and the shell casings,” he told reporters in the White House briefing room.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the investigation remains active, with authorities working to secure search warrants as part of the ongoing probe.

“I promise you justice will be served,” Blanche said.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump commended the swift actions of the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies tonight after an armed suspect attempted to breach security at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, describing their response as “incredible” and crediting them with protecting lives.

Speaking after being evacuated from the Washington Hilton, Trump recounted the tense moments and said the incident, while dangerous, also brought people together in an unexpected way.

“A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service,” Trump said at the White House. “They acted very quickly.”

Trump said one Secret Service agent was shot at close range during the confrontation but was unharmed due to a bulletproof vest.

He added that he spoke directly with the agent afterward, noting the individual was “in great shape” and maintaining a positive outlook following the incident.

The president also directed that video footage of the attack be released, saying it would demonstrate the professionalism and bravery displayed by law enforcement during the situation.

He referred to the suspect as a “thug” who “attacked our Constitution,” suggesting the episode reflects a broader trend of political violence in recent years.

The shooting unfolded outside the ballroom during the annual dinner—often referred to as the “Nerd Prom”—which Trump said is meant to honor free speech and bring together members of the media and political leadership.

Even amid the disruption, Trump said the experience fostered a sense of unity among those present.

“I saw a room that was just totally unified … Republicans, Democrats, independents … there was a tremendous amount of love,” he said.

Reports from Reuters and AFP indicated that the suspect was detained near a security checkpoint before gaining access to the main event area, likely preventing additional casualties.

Inside the ballroom, attendees took cover beneath tables as security personnel moved quickly to secure the scene.

Trump used the moment to advocate for stronger protective measures in Washington, including the construction of a more secure White House ballroom equipped with features such as bulletproof glass and defenses against drones.

“This is why we need levels of security that probably nobody has ever seen before,” he said.

He also referenced prior attempts on his life, including the 2024 rally shooting in Pennsylvania and another foiled plot in Florida, pointing to what he described as a continuing threat environment.

Despite the incident, Trump stressed that acts of violence would not disrupt public events or intimidate the nation.

“We’re not going to let anybody take over our society,” he said, adding that the dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the suspect, while Trump urged Americans to handle political disagreements peacefully, even as he reiterated his focus on maintaining law and order.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump delivers remarks following his evacuation from the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

WATCH:

A security scare interrupted davening today at Bais Medrash Govoah, the largest yeshiva in the United States, forcing the evacuation of one of its main buildings in the middle of Mussaf.

The incident occurred at the Bendheim (Yoshon) Bais Medrash building on 7th Street in Lakewood, NJ, between Lakewood Avenue and Private Way, where hundreds of mispallelim had gathered. In the midst of davening, attendees were directed to leave the building following reports of a potential threat.

The bais medrash was immediately cleared and remained closed while authorities conducted a sweep of the premises.

Law enforcement and emergency personnel responded to the scene and began investigating the situation.

Davening was relocated across the street to the Bais Yitzchok building, where the davening continued under the circumstances.

After a thorough inspection, officials issued an all-clear, allowing for a return to normal activity.

Authorities have not released details about the source of the threat, and an investigation is ongoing.

{Matzav.com}

[Videos below.] An individual suspected of opening fire has been taken into custody after gunshots rang out during a press dinner attended by President Donald Trump in Washington, according to witnesses and reporters who say the president was swiftly escorted out of the venue.

Guests at the formal White House Correspondents’ Dinner ducked for cover as loud popping sounds echoed through the room, prompting many to dive beneath tables in an effort to shield themselves.

Armed tactical units quickly moved onto the stage area where Trump had been moments earlier, securing the space after his evacuation.

Law enforcement officers flooded the grounds of the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the event was being held, while helicopters circled above the scene.

A pool report, citing the Secret Service, confirmed that the suspected gunman had been apprehended.

Reports indicate that both President Trump and Vice President JD Vance were not injured in the incident.

A volunteer working at the dinner said the alleged attacker appeared to assemble a “long” weapon in a section near a terrace-level entrance that had minimal oversight before beginning to shoot and heading toward the main ballroom.

The witness, Helen Mabus, who identified herself as a volunteer from Harrisburg, Pa., described a “makeshift room” near the entrance where bar carts were kept and where “there was no security” at the time.

“He was in that room […] he grabbed it out of a bag or something,” Mabus said, adding that the weapon “was long” and “didn’t look like a typical gun.”

According to Mabus, the suspect remained partially hidden from security personnel while putting the weapon together inside that room, then suddenly moved toward the central event area.

“He put it together and […] ran towards the stairs to go down to the ballroom,” she said.

The suspect then opened fire in several directions, sending attendees and staff scrambling for safety.

“It just seem like he was shooting all over the place,” Mabus said, estimating she heard “at least 10 shots.”

She said the gunfire triggered immediate panic, with people “screaming and running” while Secret Service and other armed personnel rushed toward the danger.

Mabus said she fled in the opposite direction and did not see the suspect apprehended, adding that the chaos unfolded just steps from the path leading down to the ballroom where hundreds of high-profile guests had gathered.

{Matzav.com}