By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
The shooting on Saturday night at the White House correspondents’ Association dinner in a Washington hotel has raised serious security concerns in the US where President Donald Trump has already faced assassination attempts in the past.
Hundreds of agents from several law enforcement agencies were tasked with protecting the annual bash. But a lone gunman managed to get just close to the hotel ballroom where an extraordinary concentration of cabinet members, high-ranking lawmakers and celebrities were dining.
In addition to Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Todd Blanche, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and various other government officials were present.
The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in presence of President Trump was thrown into chaos after the lone gunman fired at a secret agent on Saturday night.
While the motive remained unclear, the suspected shooter has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California, according to The New York Times.
President Trump, first lady Melania Trump and other members of the administration were taken from the Washington Hilton’s ballroom as guests scrambled for cover during the shocking incident.
Allen had rushed security guards and opened fire, hitting a Secret Service agent. The suspect was then subdued by officers and taken into custody. No guests at the dinner were hurt and the event was later cancelled.
It was not immediately clear whether Trump was the target of the attack, though he told reporters he believed that he was. The president has survived two previous attempts on his life since 2024, a period of deepening political polarization in the United States.
“Suspect is from California.” Trump also said the accused person was probably a lone shooter, “but will find out”. He also said that a police officer was injured in the incident though not critically. “A man armed with multiple weapons wearing a bulletproof vest charged a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, wounding a law enforcement officer.” The suspect was totally subdued, he stated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed concern over the incident. “Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned.”