WASHINGTON (AZFamily) — After a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on Saturday night, reaction poured in from Arizona politicians about what happened.

Rep. Abe Hamadeh, a Republican who was at the dinner, said he and other members of Congress were evacuated from the Washington Hilton following the gunshots.

Hamadeh said the shots rang out not far from where he was sitting.

“They were gunshots. I’m a former military. I’m an Army officer. they were gunshots. As soon as those gunshots rang out you, heard glasses shattering everywhere, people spilled their drinks bolting down to hide underneath the tables,” Hamadeh said.

Hamadeh said he tried to duck under a table but couldn’t fit. He said that’s when his security team called him and he was quickly escorted him out of the room.

“It’s scary we have to live like this. Nobody should have to live like this,” he said.

Rep. Marlin Stutzman, a Republican from Indiana, also spoke about the incident in Hamadeh’s video posted on social media.

“It was very scary,” he said. “All of a sudden, 50 to 75 feet over my left shoulder, gunshots go off, and we all jump underneath the table. Stuff was falling over. The drinks were spilling over.”

Officials rushed to safety

Mark Lodato, Dean of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and former Associate Dean at the Walter Cronkite School of Mass Communication, was sitting feet away from the stage.

He spoke exclusively with Arizona’s Family.

“Everyone immediately jumped below, and got under tables and hid, trying to wait to figure out what was going on,” Lodato said.

He said he watched as Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was quickly whisked out of the room.

A video he captured shows officials moving chairs to rush Secretary of State Marco Rubio to safety.

Bipartisan reaction

Arizona GOP Rep. Andy Biggs, who is running for governor, said in a social media post that he and his wife are relieved no one was hurt and are praying that the violence stops.

“It is deeply concerning and frustrating to have another near instance of tragic and senseless violence at an event featuring President Trump,” Biggs said.

Republican Rep. Paul Gosar also posted on X and praised the response from first responders.

“I’m deeply thankful for the swift response from law enforcement, relieved that the President and First Lady are safe, and am keeping our nation in my prayers,” he posted.

On the Democratic side, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes echoed the quick actions of first responders.

“I am glad that everyone at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is safe and for law enforcement’s fast response. Violence has no place in our political discourse,” Fontes posted on social media.

Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat, posted on social media that he is “I’m thankful that the President and others at the correspondents dinner are safe, and for the quick response from law enforcement.”

Democratic Rep. Greg Stanton offered his thoughts and prayers on social media. “I’m grateful for the swift response from Secret Service after a dangerous and harrowing incident at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Praying for the safety of all in attendance,” he posted.

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs called the incident “horrifying” on social media and said, “Violence has no place in our politics. I hope President Trump and all others in attendance are safe.”

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A 31-year-old suspect identified as Cole Thomas Allen is in custody following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, with authorities continuing to investigate his background and possible motives, media reports said late Saturday.

Citing official statements and eyewitness accounts, the reports identified Allen as being from California, later confirmed by US President Donald Trump, who called the suspect “a very sick person,” and said he was thought to have acted alone.

Trump, along with the first lady and several top Cabinet members, was escorted out of the Washington Hilton ballroom, where the event was taking place, by Secret Service. Shortly afterward, he said the suspect had been “apprehended” and shared photos of him on the ground shirtless, along with blurry security footage of what appeared to be a figure darting past security agents.

Officials said the suspect was armed with multiple weapons, including a shotgun, a handgun and several knives. Metropolitan Police interim chief Jeff Carroll said he was also a guest at the hotel hosting the dinner.

Also speaking after the incident, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said the suspect reportedly “rushed a Secret Service checkpoint” in a lobby before being stopped by agents.

An officer was shot during the incident but survived thanks to a bulletproof vest he was wearing.

“He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job,” Trump said, adding the officer was “in great shape.”

Witness accounts provided additional details about the suspect’s actions before the shooting.

A volunteer at the event, Helen Mabus, told the New York Post that the suspect appeared to assemble a “long” weapon in a lightly monitored area near a terrace-level entrance.

“He grabbed it out of a bag or something … it was long and didn’t look like a typical gun,” the daily quoted her as saying.

Mabus said the suspect was partially out of view of security while handling the weapon in a “makeshift room” used for storing bar carts.

“He put it together and … ran towards the stairs to go down to the ballroom,” she recounted.

Mabus said the suspect then began firing in multiple directions, estimating she heard at least 10 shots. “It just seemed like he was shooting all over the place,” she said, describing panic among guests.

Authorities said the suspect was later apprehended and transported to a hospital for evaluation.

Jeanine Pirro, US attorney for the District of Columbia, said the suspect would face two charges and is expected to be arraigned in federal court on Monday. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said additional charges may follow, noting that the investigation was ongoing.

FBI Director Kash Patel, who was also at the dinner, said the bureau had begun examining the suspect’s background and would “analyze all evidence immediately.”

While officials have said no clear motive was immediately clear, CBS News reported that

Allen admitted to security forces after his arrest that he intended to shoot Trump administration officials.

Citing two sources, the broadcaster said Allen did not specify that he was targeting Trump, only saying he was after “administration officials.”

The suspect is reported to have earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from California State University, and a Cole Allen appears among computer science graduates in the May 2025 commencement program of California State University, Dominguez Hills.

According to law enforcement sources cited by CBS News, Allen worked as a teacher with C2 Education in Torrance, a private tutoring service, and was named “Teacher of the Month” in December 2024, according to a Facebook post. It is unclear whether he was still employed there at the time of the incident.

White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting

The incident occurred during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where President Trump, first lady Melania Trump and other high-level figures were present.

Witnesses reported hearing loud “pop, pop, pop” sounds, prompting guests to take cover under tables as security forces responded.

The Trump couple, Vice President JD Vance and Cabinet members were evacuated from the head table, while other guests remained inside the ballroom.

Secret Service agents and law enforcement quickly intervened, securing the scene and taking the suspect into custody as the event was halted.

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado leaders are reacting after President Donald Trump and other top U.S. officials were evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner after a shooting incident on Saturday evening.

Officials said the incident occurred when a gunman opened fire in the lobby entrance of the Washington Hilton, which was outside the ballroom where Trump and other guests were seated.

All officials protected by the Secret Service were evacuated and uninjured. Those in attendance included Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio — and many other leaders of the Trump administration.

Colorado leaders from both parties reacted to the incident throughout Saturday night.

Here’s what they had to say.

Rep. Jeff Hurd

Rep. Hurd on X said the following:

“Grateful for the law enforcement officers and first responders who acted quickly to keep people safe following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

“Violence has no place in our politics. It must be condemned clearly and consistently.

“Keeping all those involved in my prayers tonight.”

Senator John Hickenlooper

“Appalled by the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner. A night meant to celebrate the First Amendment was disrupted by political violence, which has no place in America. Grateful to the Secret Service and law enforcement who acted quickly and bravely to save lives,” said Sen. Hickenlooper on X.

Rep. Jason Crow

On X, Rep. Crow provided the following statement:

“Grateful that everyone attending the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is safe.

“Thank you to the Secret Service and law enforcement for quickly responding to shots fired at the event.

“Violence is never acceptable.”

Senator Michael Bennet

Sen. Bennet posted to X the following:

“A time-honored event dedicated to the First Amendment and a free press was disrupted by violence that has no place in our country.

“Grateful that those in attendance are safe, and thankful to the Secret Service and law enforcement who acted swiftly to protect lives.”

Rep. Diana DeGette

“The reported shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner is deeply disturbing. Violence is never acceptable,” said Rep. DeGette on X.

Rep. Jeff Crank

Rep. Crank provided the following statement on X:

“Thankful for the swift action from Secret Service and law enforcement at this evening’s WHCD to ensure President Trump and all attendees are safe.

“Pray for our country. There is no place for violence.”

Rep. Gabe Evans

On X, Rep. Evans said the following:

“My family and I are keeping everyone affected by tonight’s shooting in our thoughts and prayers.

“We are so grateful for the brave men and women in law enforcement who acted swiftly to ensure everyone was kept safe.

“There is no place for violence in our country.”

Gov. Jared Polis

“While details are still emerging, violence, even the attempt and I’m glad the President, Vice President and all in attendance are safe. I appreciate the law enforcement who responded quickly to ensure everyone’s safety. We all have the right to disagree, but never to try and hurt each other,” said Gov. Polis on X.

Rep. Lauren Boebert

Rep. Boebert said the following on X:

“Thank God President Trump is safe.

“The United States Secret Service hasn’t been funded for 70 days because of the Radical Left.

“Either this is their plan OR they need to change course and fund DHS/USSS NOW.”

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser

“Political violence has no place in our democratic republic. And those who engage in such actions must be held accountable. Thinking about those at the WH Correspondents’ Dinner tonight and their safety and praying for healing our republic,” said AG Weiser on X.

Developing details

The shooting suspect was later identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, two law enforcement officials told the Associated Press.

In a White House press briefing later on Saturday night, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the suspect is being charged preliminarily with two charges related to using a firearm and assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but that there will be many more charges filed “based on the information that we are learning in this very fluid situation.”

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the investigation is ongoing.

The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was scrapped, but White House officials said it will be rescheduled.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.