A White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C., turned into a scene of panic after reports of gunfire outside the ballroom prompted the rapid evacuation of President Trump, the First Lady, and senior officials.

What began as an evening of political satire and media gatherings quickly shifted as Secret Service agents and law enforcement escorted attendees from the Washington Hilton.

Early reports stated that a suspect, identified as Cole Allen, was taken into custody in the hotel lobby after allegedly attempting to enter a restricted security area while armed. Authorities said the individual appeared to be acting alone and that the threat was quickly contained.

During the incident, a Secret Service agent suffered injuries but survived thanks to protective equipment. Officials credited the fast response of security personnel with preventing a potentially more serious situation inside the crowded venue.

President Trump later praised the officers involved, calling their actions swift and effective in stopping what could have become a far worse incident. Organizers canceled the remainder of the evening and initially discussed rescheduling the event.

The security scare has renewed attention on safety measures at high-profile political gatherings, underscoring the challenges of protecting large public events even under extensive security.