WASHINGTON, D.C. (FOX 9) – Shots were fired outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington D.C. Saturday night. President Donald Trump and top members of his cabinet were in attendance and unharmed.

Federal officials say they are investigating the accused gunman’s grievances against the Trump administration he sent to family shortly before the incident. 

Minnesota elected officials on both sides of the aisle condemned that acts of political violence, and thanked law enforcement for their swift efforts to keep attendees safe.

Close call 

What we know:

Video showed the chaotic moments when guests inside the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner took cover under tables, and Secret Service agents rushed President Donald Trump and his cabinet to safety.

Authorities released security footage, showing what led up to the panic in the ballroom at the Washington Hilton Saturday night. Law enforcement officials say an armed man rushed the checkpoint and exchanged gunfire before Secret Service agents took him into custody. The shooting suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen.

Officials say he had traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago, then onto Washington, D.C., and had checked into that hotel days earlier.

What we don’t know:

Investigators are looking for possible motives. Federal officials say they are investigating the accused gunman’s grievances against the Trump administration.

Authorities say they have reason to believe this was a politically-motivated attack, citing writings the accused gunman sent to family members shortly before shots were fired.

Minnesota leaders react

What they’re saying:

Minnesota officials are denouncing any form of political violence.

Gov. Tim Walz taking to social media writing, “political violence has become all too prevalent in America. I’m grateful for the swift response from law enforcement.”

Minnesota Representative and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer attended the event and was seen being helped out of the ballroom. Emmer clarifying on FOX News, he had a previous foot problem and is in a cast, so he needed assistance exiting the event.

Emmer also took to social media and thanked law enforcement for their bravery and added “political violence will never be tolerated.”

FOX 9 political analyst Blois Olson says the incident has revived conversations about political violence in Minnesota.

“It reminds us of the heightened sense of the country, of our state. We’ve experienced political violence here in Minnesota,” said Olson. “I think it’s a reminder as we approach June 14 in Minnesota that it was less than a year ago that violence against elected officials in Minnesota happened. We have to turn down the temperature, find a more civil way forward.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s office also confirming he attended the dinner and is okay, and is grateful for law enforcement’s quick response.

What’s next:

Prosecutors say the suspect is preliminarily facing two charges related to using a firearm and assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but more charges could be filed later.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have dodged a serious blow to star guard Anthony Edwards, but his status for the rest of the NBA playoffs remains in question.

Medical imaging tests revealed that Edwards, the NBA’s third-leading scorer this season, suffered a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee on Saturday, April 25, in Game 4 of Minnesota’s first-round playoff series against the Nuggets.

The results were first reported by ESPN.

Although sources tell the network Edwards is expected to be sidelined multiple weeks, he did avoid a more serious ligament injury that would’ve ended his postseason.

The news comes as the No. 6-seeded Timberwolves have taken a commanding 3-1 series lead in the first round over the No. 3 Denver Nuggets. The Timberwolves are also dealing with depth concerns in the backcourt, after guard Donte DiVincenzo suffered a torn right Achilles tendon one quarter before Edwards sustained his injury.

The Timberwolves have ramped up their defense and are playing their best basketball of the season. After making consecutive trips to the Western Conference Finals, Minnesota is looking to break through this season with its first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history. Although the Western Conference is stacked with talented teams, the Timberwolves have been very impressive to open the 2026 playoffs. To pose a legitimate threat, however, they will need Edwards to be healthy, especially now that DiVincenzo will be out indefinitely.