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Trump, Vance Evacuated from WHCD After Agent Shot

Published 7 May 2026

Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump were swiftly evacuated from the White House Correspondents Dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., on Saturday evening after a gunman rushed a Secret Service checkpoint and fired shots, striking an agent in the protective vest.

The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California, was taken into custody at the scene. Federal prosecutors have charged him with attempting to assassinate the president, transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Allen has not entered a plea. Authorities released video footage showing the suspect armed and attempting to breach security, including moments of the confrontation where he allegedly shot at the agent before being stopped.

Vance, seated on the elevated dais near Trump during the black-tie event, provided the most detailed public account in interviews with Fox News. "I'm sitting up there on the dais with some journalists and obviously the president of the United States a few seats to my right," Vance said. "There's a lot of commotion. You hear some loud noises. I had no idea...

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