Gunfire and a defiant Trump: How White House Correspondents’ dinner shooting unfolded

PresidentDonald Trumphas called for unity after a suspect was arrested for attempting tostorm a White House Correspondents’ Associationdinner, armed with multiple knives and a gun.

“I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts in resolving our difference [sic] peacefully,” he saidat a press conference in the aftermathof the incident, still dressed in his tuxedo from the meal.

Theincident took place at the Washington Hiltonon Saturday evening, where the annual event was being held. Journalists and press who cover the White House and the president are invited to attend the fundraiser and awards ceremony every year.

Mr Trump has previously not attended the dinner, which usually involves poking fun at the US administration in power, and the US leader and businessman was famously the butt of a jokeat the event in 2011 made by then-president Barack Obama.

President Trump thanked theSecret Serviceand law enforcement for their swift action to detain the gunman,31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen.He is said to have told authorities he planned on targeting the president, according to CBS.

Here is how the dramatic events unfolded.

8.35pm: Gunshots ring out as Secret Service swarms ballroom

Dinner attendees said they heard several gunshots ring out shortly after the appetisers were served at around 8:35pm local time (1:35am BST). Mr Trump was expected to give a speech shortly after an awards segment following the meal.

Reporters fromThe Independent, who were seated at a table in the back of the hall, said they heard approximately five gunshots before watching agents draw their firearms. Guests took cover underneath tables once they realised what was happening.

Secret Service swarmed the banquet hall, yelling at the president to get out of the way and demanding that people duck.

Trump and JD Vance escorted out of room

Video shared on social media shows Secret Service members, including those wearing tactical gear and body armour, rushing vice president JD Vance, President Trump and First LadyMelania Trumpoff the stage.

Press and journalists took cover underneath tables and one woman, who was seated at a table with reporters, began crying, saying the incident was the scariest thing she had ever experienced, according toThe Independent’s John Bowden.

9.17pm: President says gunman ‘has been apprehended’

In his first comments in the aftermath of the incident, Mr Trump shared a message on Truth Social confirming that the alleged gunman “has been apprehended” at around 9:17pm (2:17am BST).

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He suggested that the dinner continue, but said he would follow the advice of law enforcement.

“Quite an evening in DC, Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job,” he wrote. “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.”

At around 9:36pm (2:36am BST), he said he would be leaving the hotel at the request of law enforcement.

10.29pm: Trump shares footage of shooter storming security barrier

Mr Trump posted a video to Truth Social at 10:29pm (3:29am BST) of a man appearing to storm the security barrier and metal detectors in the hallway outside the room where the dinner was held.

The footage shows security staff pulling out weapons to stop the individual. Allen is reported to have shot one Secret Service officer before being detained. Reporters were told that the officer was saved by his bulletproof vest.

10.30pm: News conference held from White House

A news conference was held shortly after at around 10.30pm (3:30am) from the White House. Mr Trump delivered his comments, still wearing the tuxedo he wore to the event, from a podium alongside FBI chief Kash Patel and acting US attorney general Todd Blanche. He called the suspect a “lone wolf”.

He said he thought that the sound of gunshots was initially a “tray falling” and argued that the Hilton hotel, where the event was being held, was not a particularly “secure” building. But the US leader praised enforcement officials and said his role was a “dangerous profession”.

“I was watching to see what was happening, probably should have gotten down even faster,” he said at the briefing. “Melania was very cognizant, I think, of what happened. I think she knew immediately what happened. She was saying, 'That's a bad noise.’”

He said the gunman had charged a security checkpoint armed with “multiple weapons”. He also confirmed the suspect had shot and injured one law enforcement officer, shooting him at close range, but said he survived due to a bulletproof vest.

10.50pm: Suspect named and property searched in Torrance, California

US media named the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen at around 10:50pm on Saturday evening. Shortly after live pictures came in of police searching a property in Torrance, California believed to be the property of Allen.

The suspect is expected to be formally charged on Monday, according to US attorney general for the district of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro.

He faces charges including, using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on federal officers using a dangerous weapon, according to theWall Street Journal.He was reported to undergoing a medical evaluation at a hospital on Saturday.

byVincento Seyarto

in

April 27, 2026

Gunfire and a defiant Trump: How White House Correspondents’ dinner shooting unfolded

PresidentDonald Trumphas called for unity after a suspect was arrested for attempting tostorm a White House Correspondents’ Association...

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Maryland astronaut named to SpaceX crew ahead of possible moon mission

Jessica Watkins, who has already made NASA history, is now set for a second trip to space.

The astronaut from Gaithersburg, Maryland, wasannounced last weekas the spacecraft commander for NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission expected to launch later this year.

Here's what to know about Watkins.

Who is Jessica Watkins?

Watkins was born in 1988 in Gaithersburg, Maryland, located about 25 miles northwest from downtown Washington DC.

It was in Maryland where she first had dreams of going to space. While attending an after-school program at Judith Resnik Elementary School in Gaithersburg as a 9-year-old, she learned the school was named after the second American woman who went to space.

“I learned that you could go into space as a career, and I was definitely hooked,” she toldStanford Magazine in 2022.

She later moved to Lafayette, Colorado, which she considers her hometown, according toNASA.

After graduating with her bachelor's degree from Stanford University, Watkins received her doctorate from UCLA in 2015.

"Jessica Watkins has been shaping the future of space exploration since her days at UCLA,"the university said.

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What experience does Jessica Watkins have with NASA?

A geologist by training, Watkins was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017 after working on Mars rover science teams.

She first left earth in2022as the mission specialist on NASA's SpaceX Crew-4 mission, logging 170 days in space.

It was a historic mission for Watkins, who became the first Black woman to live and work at the International Space Station.

"I think it really is just a tribute to the legacy of the Black women astronauts that have come before me, as well as to the exciting future ahead," Watkinssaid during an NPR interview.

NASA said her mission duties included "maintaining the space station and contributing to science experiments that not only might improve life on Earth, but also allow researchers to learn more about the effects of long duration spaceflight on the human body."

In addition to her spaceflight experience, Watkins was named to NASA’s Artemis team, a group of astronauts eligible for future missions to the Moon.

Her experience will now bring her back to the ISS. Watkins will join Luke Delaney, Joshua Kutryk and Sergey Teteryatinikov to replace the Crew-12 mission at the space station.

NASA said the mission is targeted for September.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Meet the NASA astronaut from Maryland picked for Crew-13 space mission

byVincento Seyarto

in

April 27, 2026

Maryland astronaut named to SpaceX crew ahead of possible moon mission

Jessica Watkins, who has already made NASA history, is now set for a second trip to space. The astronaut from Gaithersburg, Maryla...

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Millionaire big-game hunter dies after being trampled by elephants

A millionaire big-gamehunterhas been killed after being trampled byelephantswhileon a hunting expedition.

Ernie Dosio, 75, had been searching for a rare species of antelope in the Lope-Okanda forest inGabon, centralAfrica, when a herd of five elephants emerged andcrushed him underfoot.

The American vineyard-owner from Lodi, California, had collectedan array of animal trophiesduring his lifetime, including rhinos, elephants andlions.

Safari operator Collect Africa confirmed Mr Dosio’sdeath, according to a report in theDaily Mail. The company said that a professional hunter who had been guiding Mr Dosio was also seriously injured in the incident, which is said to have taken place on 17 April.

The team had been on the lookout for a yellow-backed duiker, the largest of all duikers, which is one of the most heavily-hunted species across forests in West and Central Africa.

The group of five elephants with a calf are said to have been well-hidden in the undergrowth surrounding them. Elephants are the largest land animals on earth, with adult males weighing an average of 6,000kg and standing at 9 ft (3m) tall.

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A friend said that Mr Dosio’s excursions were “strictly licensed and above board and were registered as conservation in culling animal numbers”.

“I would rather not go into detail, but it is safe to assume that it would have been quick,” the friend told theNew York Postof the death.

Hunting brochures on the Bobby Hansen Safaris website show Mr Dosio posing with monster hogs, a Nile buffalo and an impala in Uganda. A trip from Tanzania includes pictures of the hunter with a gazelle and the elusive lesser kudu. In one picture, he is seen with the body of a slain lion while holding a hunting rifle. He is reported to have been unsuccessful in hunting a leopard while on the expedition.

A caption read: “He took a fantastic lion and some great plains game, although Mr Spots eluded us. We had males feeding that did not return, and we saw one male during the day, but we will get you a leopard, Ernie.”

Trophy-hunting is a controversial practice with campaign groups against it for animal welfare and environmental reasons. Political parties, including those in the UK, have promised to ban imports but have beenaccused of delaying legislation.

It is estimated that between 300 and 500 people are killed every year in elephant attacks, according to the Global Sanctuary for Elephants.

byVincento Seyarto

in

April 26, 2026

Millionaire big-game hunter dies after being trampled by elephants

A millionaire big-gamehunterhas been killed after being trampled byelephantswhileon a hunting expedition. Ernie Dosio, 75, had bee...

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Tributes pour in as legendary Indian photographer Raghu Rai dies at 83

Tributes have poured in for one ofIndia’s most acclaimedphotographers, Raghu Rai, who passed away in Delhi, with many remembering him for his powerful work documenting the country’s defining historical moments, social realities and everyday life with rare depth and sensitivity.

He died at the age of 83 after a two-year battle with cancer, his family said on Sunday.

The news of his death was confirmed via a post on his Instagram profile, featuring a black-and-white portrait in the style of his photography.

“With deep sorrow, we regret to inform you of the passing of our beloved,” the post read.

One ofIndia’s foremostphotographers, Rai worked as aphotojournalistfor over five decades, documenting key historical moments such as the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Emergency, Operation Blue Star, and theBhopaldisaster, as well as capturing intimate portraits of figures including Mother Teresa, Satyajit Ray,Indira Gandhiand the Dalai Lama.

Born on 18 December 1942, in undividedIndia’s Punjab, Rai was a civil engineer who was introduced to the medium by his brother, photographer S Paul, during a professional break. His foray into photography six decades ago was a fortunate coincidence, as his first image – a picture of a donkey looking directly into the lens – was published inThe Timesof London after his brother was impressed by it.

“I tried to get closer, but when I was about 10 feet away, the donkey started running and the children started laughing,” Rai toldGuardianin an interview four decades later.

He said he chased the donkey for three hours, and later, when they both got tired, the donkey “stood there so I got closer and took the shot”.

“The [prize] money I got was enough to live on for a month,” said Rai. “I thought, ‘This is not a bad idea, man!’”

On Sunday, many described his passing as the “end of an era” as his colleagues, friends and others remembered him for his work, dedication and enthusiasm.

Politician and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor said he was “deeply saddened” by Rai’s death, calling him “one of the world’s finest visual storytellers”.

Recalling a personal connection from his childhood, when Rai worked with his father atThe Statesmannewspaper,he said the photographer was not just a global figure but “the man with the gentle smile and the observant eye”.

To the world, he said, Rai was “an incomparable master” who “captured the pulsating heart and soul ofIndia” - from the aftermath of theBhopaldisaster to intimate portraits of Mother Teresa andIndira Gandhi.

“Raghu Rai did not just photograph India; he lived it, and through his lens, he made us feel its pulse,” he added.

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Orator Joy Bhattacharjya shared one of Rai’s photographs of former prime ministerIndira Gandhi, saying India had lost “its finest visual chronicler”.

“Rest in peace, Raghu Rai sir – nobody captured the India in which we grew up better than you. This is just one of the many stunning images you bequeathed us,” he wrote.

Historian William Dalrymple, who described Rai as a friend and mentor, said he was “not just India’s greatest photographer but also one of its most beloved, generous and wonderful men”.

“His book on Delhi was the first I ever bought about the city, and it was he who first taught me how to look at it and pin it to paper,” he said. “Later, he became the kindest of friends. I adored him – his warmth, energy and wild enthusiasm. Om Shanti... he will be much, much missed.”

Rai was awarded the Padma Shri in 1972 for his coverage of the Bangladesh war and its aftermath.

His work caught the attention of Henri Cartier-Bresson, who nominated him to join the prestigious Magnum Photos in 1977 – placing him among a select group shaping global photojournalism.

He later received the Photographer of the Year award in the United States for his photo essayHuman Management of Wildlife in India, published inNational Geographic. The French government conferred on him the Officier des Arts et des Lettres in 2009.

Among Rai’s most haunting images is his photograph from the aftermath of theBhopal disaster– a toxic gas leak that killed an estimated 22,000 people. The image shows the face of a child, partially buried in the earth, eyes closed in death. It became one of the defining visual records of the tragedy, capturing both its vast scale and intimate human cost of the deadliest industrial disaster in India.

The Press Club of India, of which Rai was a member, said he leaves behind a vast body of work spanning decades that will continue to be celebrated.

“His commitment and contribution to his craft will be remembered with deep respect. At this juncture, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,” it wrote.

“He didn’t just take pictures, he preserved the memory of our nation,” said Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition in India.

Over the decades, his work has been exhibited in major galleries and institutions across Europe and North America, and published in leading international magazines.

While less commercially prominent than some Western contemporaries, Rai will remain widely regarded within global photography circles as a central figure in documentary practice and as a visual chronicler of India.

Rai said in 2010 he was not “proud” of everything he has achieved, but it’s fulfilling to know one is going deeper into the layers of complexity of my country …”.

“I like being among my own people. I merge with them. I don’t carry camera bags, I don’t wear stylish clothes. I have one camera with a zoom lens so I am not alarming people; no one is saying, 'Here comes a photographer!’”

byVincento Seyarto

in

April 26, 2026

Tributes pour in as legendary Indian photographer Raghu Rai dies at 83

Tributes have poured in for one ofIndia’s most acclaimedphotographers, Raghu Rai, who passed away in Delhi, with many remembering him f...

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Southeast Drought Worsening: How Bad Is It, Will It Improve And Impacts On Your Summer Weather

Springtime across the Southeast is typically filled with rain, storms and severe weather. However, this year is different. Instead, a worsening drought is top of mind and this is very concerning as we inch closer to summer.

As expected, the drought has expanded and worsened across the Southeast. Regionally, the areas covered by severe and extreme drought have expanded by about 10% in each category. That may seem like a small change, but it's significant given that nearly 100% of the region is already in a drought.

Current Drought Monitor — Updated April 23, 2026

Last Week's Drought Monitor

How Bad Is It And Why?

Long story short, it’s bad. Every part of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Alabama is experiencing drought conditions. Arkansas and Florida are both 99% in drought. In fact,Florida is experiencing the worst drought in 25 years, writes senior meteorologistJonathan Erdman.

(WATCH:Fires Spread Across Southeast In Midst Of Widespread Drought)

The U.S. was under the influence of aLa Niña pattern this past winter.This type of pattern typically results in a warmer and drier winter in the Southeast, and that is exactly what happened. And now this has transitioned to a dry spring. Many cities, including Atlanta, Savannah, Tallahassee, Charleston, Charlotte, Raleigh, Richmond, Memphis, Nashville and Montgomery, are currently experiencing one of their top 10 driest spring seasons to date, according to theSoutheast Regional Climate Center.

But the drought didn't just develop overnight. The Southeast has been dealing with drought conditions since last fall.

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Drought.govreports, "Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina have experienced record dry conditions for September 2025-March 2026, with records dating back to 1895. September–March was the second driest for Alabama, third driest for Florida, ninth driest for Tennessee, and 10th driest for Virginia."

Any Relief On The Way?

If we have any good news to report, it’s that a pattern change will bring a little bit of rain to the parched Southeast over the next seven days. I say a little bit because the areas experiencing the worst drought (Florida, south Georgia) may see only a half inch or less. The slightly higher totals of 1-4 inches forecast for parts of the Tennessee and Mississippi Valleys will certainly help the ongoing drought, but won't be a drought buster by any means.

Current Drought Outlook — Any Improvements?

The short answer: Nope. The current outlook shows the drought worsening as we head into the summer months, especially in places like Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh, Montgomery and Richmond.

According to NOAA, much of the Southeast would need 15 to 25 inches of rain over a three-month period to eliminate the drought completely.

What This Means For You

The summer could end up hotter than average in an already hot part of the country. The fire danger will also likely increase due to dry fuels, hot weather and low relative humidity. And gusty winds can fan the flames easily. If you are vacationing in one of these drought-stricken regions and are not familiar with wildfires, please have a plan in place in case you need to evacuate.

Soil moisture across the Southeast is also very low, which affects the agriculture industry. Low water levels have led to some water restrictions, particularly in parts of Florida,drought.gov reports. Stay withweather.comfor the latest updates.

Tiffany Savonais a digital meteorologist for weather.com. She has 15+ years of experience tracking storms as a broadcast meteorologist across the country.

byVincento Seyarto

in

April 26, 2026

Southeast Drought Worsening: How Bad Is It, Will It Improve And Impacts On Your Summer Weather

Springtime across the Southeast is typically filled with rain, storms and severe weather. However, this year is different. Instead, a w...

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Top Trump figures at odds over future of Secret Service chief amid claims of lax security at dinner, report claims

New scrutiny is fallingon the shoulders of the Secret Serviceand its chief, Sean Curran, after Saturday night’sshooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Publicly, members of the administration praised the Secret Service for agents’ quick response on Saturday after a suspected gunman charged the ballroom in the basement of the Washington Hilton, where hundreds of journalists and administration VIPs including the president and vice president were seated for the annual event. No persons inside the ballroom were injured, and the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, was tackled before getting inside.

In private, however,Real Clear Politicsreports that seasoned security officials are raising alarms over the Secret Service and the agency’s ability to protect the president. Numerous sources familiar with presidential security protocolsbashed Saturday night’s security apparatusat the Hilton in comments to the publication, echoing some criticism leveled by attendees and politicians on social media after the event.

The report also claimed that White House chief of staff Susie Wiles plans to blame the president’s sons, who reportedly pushed for Curran’s appointment, if the president decides to fire him. Wiles, as Trump’s top aide, oversees the Secret Service and also faced some criticism for allowing Curran to remain in his job this long.

Curran took over the agency last year, just months after the president was nearly assassinated in Butler, Pennsylvania during a campaign event.

Multiple sources reportedly toldReal Clear Politicsthat Wiles has told other administration officials that “it’s on the boys” – supposedly referring to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump – if Curran screws up.

“It’s failure after failure after failure, and she gets no blame,” one source complained to the publication.

The new report of a rift between Wiles and the presidents’ sons could be blown open if Saturday evening’s incident results in turnover at the Secret Service. Attendees at the White House Correspondents Dinner were required to show tickets and pass through a metal detector, but CNN’s Wolf Blitzer reported that the suspect appeared to make it through a metal detector with his weapon.

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A witness who described the scene toThe Independenton Saturday eveningsaid that a man withdrew a “long gun”and began firing just inches away from where she and another worker were pushing a service cart into an elevator.

Wilesis currently undergoing treatmentfor breast cancer. She previously served as one of the heads of Donald Trump’s successful 2024 election campaign, where she earned a reputation for running a tight ship and being a no-nonsense boss.

The Secret Service, however, has been facing growing scrutiny and criticism for years. The near-assassination of Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024 was another incident wherein the agency was sharply criticized afterwards for not establishing a proper perimeter around a stage where Donald Trump was set to speak.

As Saturday night’s event concluded with a lockdown and confused attendees spilling out into the city, numerous pro-Trump figures and others described the Hilton’s layers of security as lax and porous, with some claiming they weren’t asked to show a ticket.The Independentattended the dinner, and its reporters were asked for tickets at multiple checkpoints.

That lax image is likely to prevail, however, given thatthe suspected gunman Cole Tomas Allenhimself is alleged to have written extensively about the Secret Service’s security failures in a purported manifesto obtained by authorities and published by news outlets on Saturday.

“The security at the event is all outside, focused on protestors and current arrivals, because apparently no one thought about what happens if someone checks in the day before. Like, this level of incompetence is insane, and I very sincerely hope it’s corrected by the time this country gets actually competent leadership again. Like, if I was an Iranian agent, instead of an American citizen, I could have brought a damn Ma Deuce in here and no one would have noticed shit,” Allenwrote in his alleged manifesto.

Another incident in recent weeks saw the Secret Service fail to locate a vehicle its officers were tracking after gunshots were reported near the White House. Rifle casings were recovered,according toReal Clear Politics,and a vehicle identified, but no images of the suspected shooter were recovered and the case reportedly went cold after agents were unable to track the vehicle due to it bearing stolen tags.

The Independenthas contacted the Secret Service for comment.

“President Trump continues to have confidence in the United States Secret Service and all of his top law enforcement personnel, as the president mentioned last night. These brave men and women took swift action and quickly neutralized the perpetrator who sought to seek harm to the president and other top officials,” said White House spokesperson Davis Ingle in response to an emailed request for comment.

byVincento Seyarto

in

April 26, 2026

Top Trump figures at odds over future of Secret Service chief amid claims of lax security at dinner, report claims

New scrutiny is fallingon the shoulders of the Secret Serviceand its chief, Sean Curran, after Saturday night’sshooting at the White Ho...

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How clean is South Florida air? See how your county ranks for smog, soot

The American Lung Associationrecently released its yearly “State of the Air” report – and though none of South Florida’s cities are among the 25 most polluted, air quality has decreased in some of the region’s metros.

The report analyzes data from 2022 through 2024 to grade counties onunhealthy levelsof ozone and particle pollution, perhaps better understood assmog and soot, respectively. In the Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale metro area, the air quality declined slightly, exposing residents to more unhealthy ozone pollution. The region ranked as the 132nd worst out of 226 metropolitan areas for high ozone, 110th worst out of 224 areas for 24-hour particle pollution and 57th worst out of 211 areas for annual particle pollution.

“Clean air is essential to the health and well-being of families across Florida. Children deserve to breathe air that won’t make them sick,” Ashley Lyerly, senior director of advocacy for the American Lung Association, said in a press release.

Collectively, 152 million people of all ages in the U.S., or about 44%, live in counties that have received a failing grade on at least one air pollution measure.

“Clean air takes work. Unfortunately, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rollbacks of critical healthy air rules are impacting our residents. We urge Florida’s policymakers to take action to improve our air quality, and we are calling on everyone to tell EPA that our kids’ health counts.”

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The air quality monitoring network in Florida is limited, according to the report – if there’s no monitor present in a county, no data for it will be available. In Florida, 35 of 67 counties could be graded on at least one air quality measure, according tothe ALA's report card.

See the high ozone days of 35 out of 67 Florida counties

Grade, Average Weight of Air

Hillsborough

Indian River

See particle pollution rankings for 16 out of 67 Florida counties

Grade, Average Weight of Air

Hillsborough

Don't see your county? Try your address instead

If you do not see your county on the list, you can still tryputting in your address on the website.

How does bad air quality impact our health?

The report found that 32.9 million people live in counties that received failing grades on all three measures.

As for what that means for their health – the ALA says its years of scientific research have shown thatparticle pollution and ozone are a threatto human health at every stage of life. Some of the major respiratory symptoms of air pollution include wheezing and coughing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks, worsening COPD and lung cancer.

Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Florida Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter,Florida TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:South Florida had fairly clean air, American Lung Association reports

byVincento Seyarto

in

April 25, 2026

How clean is South Florida air? See how your county ranks for smog, soot

The American Lung Associationrecently released its yearly “State of the Air” report – and though none of South Florida’s cities are amo...

Read More