Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he is ‘pleased’ to hear US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are safe after an alleged shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington.
Guests had just taken their seats at the event on Saturday night, local time, when Secret Service agents surged into the ballroom, shouting for people to ‘get down’.
Trump, his wife and senior cabinet members were swiftly escorted out of the venue.
At one point, the president stumbled briefly, appearing to trip, before being helped up and escorted away.
Among those in attendance were Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio – all of whom were safely removed from the venue.
Following the incident, Albanese issued a statement on Sunday, sharing his relief that those present were unharmed.
‘I am pleased to hear the President and the First Lady, along with all attendees at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, are safe,’ Albanese said.
‘We applaud the work of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies for their swift action.’
Anthony Albanese (pictured) said he was ‘pleased’ the President and First Lady were safe
President Donald Trump and other government officials were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner
Trump (right) said the alleged perpetrator was ‘taken down’ after attempting to breach the security checkpoint
President Trump later appeared in the White House Press Briefing Room to address reporters following the incident at the Hilton, where the annual dinner was being held.
‘That was very unexpected, but incredibly acted upon by Secret Service and law enforcement,’ Trump said.
‘It was in one way, very beautiful, a very beautiful thing to see. A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service. And they acted very quickly.’
US authorities have since released further details about the suspect, who has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of California.
Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for Washington, said the individual faces two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence, as well as a separate charge of assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
Pirro confirmed the suspect is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court on Monday and indicated additional charges are likely.
‘There will be many more charges based upon the information that we are learning in this very fluid situation,’ she said.
Authorities said there were no immediate reports of additional injuries beyond the Secret Service agent who was shot but partially protected by a bulletproof vest.
President Donald Trump posted a photo of the alleged shooter on Saturday night, identified later as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of California
Guests were told to take cover as Secret Service agents stormed the ballroom
Outside, the response intensified rapidly. Law enforcement and Secret Service personnel flooded the area, while members of the National Guard took up positions inside the building.
Guests were allowed to leave but were prevented from re-entering as security teams swept the premises.
Shortly after being evacuated, Trump also posted a message on his Truth Social platform praising the response.
‘Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. 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.’
Organisers initially considered resuming the dinner, but ultimately decided to cancel the event altogether.
