White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting Suspect Was 'Lone Wolf,' Trump Says, Likely Had Been Staying Onsite at Hotel

At about 8:36 p.m., a gunman rushed past security at the Washington Hilton, which was hosting the White House Correspondents' Dinner

NEED TO KNOW

• One Secret Service member was injured during the incident, which took place at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C.
• Footage from the annual press event showed President Trump sitting onstage at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C., before Secret Service agents escorted him away as loud bangs were heard
• Trump and law enforcement officials say they believe the suspect — who was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives — acted alone

President Donald Trump said at a press conference that the man accused of charging past a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, April 25, was a "lone wolf."

At a subsequent press conference, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser and several law enforcement officials said they believe the suspect acted alone.

Interim Washington, DC, police chief Jeffery Carroll told reporters that the suspect was "armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives,” The incident took place at about 8:36 p.m., minutes after the event began at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C.

Carroll said the suspect had been staying at the hotel, which hosts the annual event.

“As he ran through that checkpoint, members of law enforcement from the United States Secret Service intercepted that individual. Carroll added that the suspect and law enforcement officers “exchanged gunfire.”

According to US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the suspect will face two charges: using a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.

Pirro said it's likely the suspect will face more charges.

Footage from the annual press dinner showed the president, 79, sitting onstage at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C., shortly after the start of the event. Secret Service agents could be seen entering the ballroom and quickly escorting Trump out of the room.

Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance were rushed out of the dinner immediately after shots were fired. Vance and the first lady, as well as press secretary Karoline Leavitt, were also seen on camera being removed from the room.

According to CNN, Trump and all members of the Cabinet who were in attendance were safe in the aftermath of the incident.

PEOPLE's reporter inside the dinner said that attendees hid under tables shortly after the disruption occurred.

Shortly after the incident, Trump wrote on Truth Social that "the shooter has been apprehended."

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"Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job," the president said. "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. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again. President DONALD J. TRUMP."

In a follow-up post on Truth Social, Trump added: "Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately. I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room. The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition. We will be speaking to you in a half an hour. I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days."

White House Correspondents' Association President Weijia Jiang initially took the stage at the dinner and announced that the planned program would resume, before it was announced that the event would be canceled for now.

The Secret Service, White House and White House Correspondents' Association did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.