Trump, Vance safe after gunman opens fire at Washington dinner
President Donald Trump and vice president, J.D. Vance, are safe after a gunman carrying a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives fired at a federal official during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night.
The shooting disrupted the event as Secret Service agents swung swiftly into action, yanking Mr Vance from his seat while cabinet members and VIP guests ducked under tables, scrambling for safety.
A team of agents formed a human shield around Mr Trump as they guided him out of the hall. First Lady Melania Trump was similarly evacuated.
No one has been reported hurt.
“The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition,” Mr Trump wrote on social media.
The U.S. leader held a press conference late Saturday night where he explained that the assailant hit the official’s bulletproof vest and that he was “doing great.”
The New York Times identified the gunman as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old man from Torrance, California. A motive has yet to be determined, but law enforcement believes he was acting alone.
Mr Allen will be charged in court on Monday, according to Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the district of California.
“This individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could,” said Ms Pirro.
High-profile guests in attendance included FBI Director Kash Patel, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Africa
Morocco ranks fourth in Africa, 79th globally in 2026 Chandler Good Government Index
Morocco placed fourth in Africa and 79th globally in the 2026 Chandler Good Government Index, which assessed the capabilities and effectiveness of governments across 133 countries.
World
Nigeria condoles Spain over train collision that killed 68 people
The Nigerian government has condoled with the people of Spain over a train collision that killed 68 people on Wednesday.
Rights
Court jails Bayelsa woman for procuring minors for sexual exploitation, trafficking
Gloria Lucky, 25, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Anti-Corruption
Trump admin puts Nigerian fugitive Onoriode Ezewu on U.S. Labour Department ‘Most Wanted List’
The U.S. Department of Labour has named Nigeria’s Onoriode Ezewu among 16 fraudsters on its “first-ever Most Wanted List” for stealing from the American government.
Agriculture
FG targets EU investment in one-million-hectare cocoa expansion plan
Nigeria will present its one-million-hectare tree crops expansion programme to European cocoa industry leaders and investors in Brussels to attract investment.
Economy
NTAC chief says 564 people empowered in Adamawa community
Yusuf Yakub, the director-general of the Nigeria Technical Aid Corps, has empowered 564 people in the Gombi/Hong federal constituency in Adamawa.
