Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

Image source, Reuters

We're now getting more details of the security that was present at the White House Correspondents' Dinner - and in retrospect, many will be wondering whether it was adequate.

The hotel was closed to the public from about 14:00 local time (19:00 BST), with entry restricted to hotel guests and those with tickets to the event or one of several private receptions that took place before and after the main event.

Personally, I found it slightly odd to walk into the main lobby of the hotel at about 17:30 (22:30 BST) and see hotel guests eating and drinking in the lobby just feet away from prominent politicians and members of the media.

Invitations were not checked at the hotel entrance, although I did have to flash it to a guard briefly to enter the property. There are no names on the tickets - only table numbers - and at no point was I asked to show any form of identification.

Only once did guests pass through magnometers, just before entering a large waiting area where drinks were served. The shooting took place in this area, which was up a flight of stairs from the actual ballroom.

Several people I have spoken to, however, recall being slightly surprised at how that security sweep was carried out.

One friend of mine told me this morning that the magnometer went off because of a vaping device in his pocket, but was waved through after explaining to the officer what it was.

Shaimaa Khalil
Reporting from outside the Washington Hilton hotel

Image source, Reuters

It’s a cold Sunday morning outside the Washington Hilton hotel. The metal barricades and big plastic blockades still line up the street opposite the building.

It’s quiet here with a few people milling about and journalists setting up - a contrast to the chaos of last night.

Washington is taking stock of a dramatic and shocking night at one of the most high-profile events in this city. An event designed to celebrate journalism ended up being a massive breaking story.

This ballroom was meant to be one of the safest, most secure rooms in the country.

The director of the Secret Service as well as other law enforcement officials have said that the way the events unfolded shows that the security plan did work.

The gunman was apprehended and prevented from getting into the ballroom. The president himself said he was satisfied with their performance - but make no mistake, Trump’s security is now under scrutiny.

Because at the heart of all of this is a massive security breach in a room that had the president, the vice-president, the first lady, the speaker of the house and other senior cabinet members all in one room - where shots were fired very close to them.

Image source, Reuters

We've just heard Donald Trump give his first interview since last night's shooting. Here's a recap of the key points:

• Trump said he and the first lady are fine after what was a "very sad evening in many ways"
• He said the alleged gunman had "hatred in his heart" and was "strongly anti-Christian" - as a reminder, police said earlier that the motive remains unknown
• He praised the Secret Service, saying the suspect came running in like "an NFL running back" and they "stopped him cold"
• He reiterates comments made via Truth Social earlier today, saying the White House ballroom is needed to avoid future security issues
• On the upcoming state visit, he says King Charles III is still coming and "we're gonna have a great time"

Image source, PA Media

Trump is asked if King Charles III and Queen Camilla's visit to the US will continue as planned.

The King is still coming, Trump answers.

"He's a great guy, and we look forward to it. He's really a fantastic person and a tremendous representative, and he's brave," Trump says.

The King has been a fan of his for a long time, Trump says.

"We're gonna have a great time. And he represents his nation like nobody else can do it," Trump adds.

Asked again about the alleged gunman's motive, Trump says the suspect appears to have had "hatred in his heart for a while".

He says it was a "religious thing" and "strongly anti-Christian".

• As a reminder, the police earlier said the suspect's motive remains unknown

"He's got some big problems with the rest of his life", Trump says.

Trump adds that he didn't know quite how dangerous his job was when he ran for president.

"If you're a consequential president you're in much more danger than if you're not a consequential president", he says.

Trump is then asked about his immediate response to the shooting - and whether he had been told there was no additional threat when he indicated he wanted to continue the night.

He says: "I hated a guy like this... changing the course of our country". He says everyone would have had to leave - "what, for one nut?"

Trump adds that he "really wanted" to continue the event but the protocol was no.

The room was sealed but once the door was opened, it would have broken the seal, he says.

Officials "did the right thing" by going back to the White House for a news conference, he adds.

He says he hopes the rescheduled event can take place soon, adding that he was going to "really rip it" in last night's planned speech.

Asked if he has concerns about holding the rescheduled event at the Hilton again, Trump says it's always tough when you have a thousand rooms.

He also reiterates his past comments on the need for a secure ballroom at the White House, which he says is under construction ahead of schedule and on budget.

Trump is then asked if he's hopeful that last night's incident will push Congress to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service and has been locked in a funding dispute for months.

Trump doesn't directly answer the question, and instead pivots to talking about what a great job law enforcement agents are doing.

He also adds that the suspect is "a sick guy" and "a very troubled guy" who "hates Christians".

Image source, Reuters

US President Donald Trump is currently speaking to Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich for his first interview since last night's incident.

Trump says he and the first lady are fine after what he describes as a "very sad evening in many ways", but also one where "many people got together".

He is asked about the suspect of the shooting and his motive amid reports that he had a manifesto in his hotel room saying he wanted to target Trump administration officials.

The president is also asked about reports suggesting the alleged gunman's brother notified New London Police about his plans prior to last night's incident.

"I heard about the [New] London situation and I wish they would have told us about it a little bit," Trump says, adding that "it is what it is".

He praises the Secret Service and all law enforcement as "outstanding", adding that the suspect came running in like "an NFL running back" and they "stopped him cold".

"He never came close to getting through the door or close to the door," he says.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

Image source, Reuters

There is an odd feeling in Washington this morning, now about 14 hours since the shooting took place.

Many reporters and other attendees at the dinner have been exchanging messages, describing what they saw from their vantage points and how the rest of their evening went.

Many - perhaps most - of the journalists immediately got to work last night, sprinting or biking to the White House or their bureaus in their evening wear.

But now that things are calmer, many are trying to piece together the evening.

Small details that one might not have remembered in the moment are beginning to emerge.

In my own case, I've now realised that I missed being much closer to the shooting by just a few moments.

A friend of mine - a journalist at a European broadcaster - reminded me that we both had a brief conversation while walking to the bathrooms, which were located just feet from where the incident took place. I made it back to my seat, but she was forced to shelter in place in the bathroom.

Several after parties still took place last night amid hightened security measures, and a general absence of reporters. Others are planned for today.

The shooting will dominate conversation in Washington today.

There are no public events or remarks on President Trump's public schedule today, although he is expected to give a television interview shortly.

Image source, Reuters

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says what was supposed to be a fun evening was "hijacked by a depraved crazy person who sought to assassinate the President and kill as many top Trump administration officials as possible".

Leavitt says in a statement on X that she was with the president back stage "after we were quickly ushered to safety by Secret Service", adding that he was "truly fearless".

She reiterates Trump's comments that "this political violence needs to end", and thanks "law enforcement for keeping all of us safe".

Image source, EPA

FBI Director Kash Patel says "the best of American leadership" was on show last night.

"I am proud to work for President Trump who so strongly backs law enforcement across this country - and proud to lead this agency that works 24/7 to keep Americans safe," he writes on X.

He notes that the investigation is ongoing and asks people to get in touch with any information.

A computer science professor who taught suspected gunman Cole Tomas Allen at California State University-Dominguez Hills says he was good and polite.

“[Allen] was a very good student indeed, always sitting in the first row of my class, paying attention, and frequently emailing me with coursework questions," Bin Tang tells the Associated Press news agency.

"Soft spoken, very polite, a good fellow. I am very shocked to see the news."

The university has confirmed that a student named Cole Allen graduated in 2025 - but said it could not confirm if this was the same man suspected in the shooting.

The suspect's writings are being examined as part of the investigation into the attack, according to the BBC's US partner, CBS News.

CBS is citing three unnamed federal law enforcement officials.

The materials were found written on paper in the suspect's hotel room, CBS says.

Image source, Reuters

Daniela Relph
Senior royal correspondent, reporting from Washington DC

We should have a final decision on whether the state visit of the King and Queen goes ahead in the next few hours.

The UK government will decide if it is safe for the King and Queen to continue with the programme in liaison with Buckingham Palace, the White House and the UK embassy in Washington DC.

The mood music is that this visit will happen - but royal sources say "light adjustments" may be made to certain engagements.

Image source, PA Media

Our royal correspondent reported earlier that King Charles will probably still travel to the US for his state visit tomorrow, despite last night's attack in Washington.

Now, the UK ambassador to the US has told CBS News that King Charles is still expected to travel to the US.

Christian Turner says the King is still due to arrive at the White House on Monday, and his presence will be honoured at a dinner the following night.

A closer look at the suspect's social media presencepublished at 14:53 BST

14:53 BST

By Emma Pengelly and Thomas Copeland

BBC Verify has been looking into the online presence of the suspected Washington gunman.

Los Angeles County’s voter registration records appear to show he had registered no party preference. According to a Federal Election Commission record, seen by BBC Verify, in October 2024 Allen donated $25 (£18.5) to the fundraising platform ActBlue with the money earmarked for Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.

Allen describes himself as a mechanical engineer, game developer and teacher on LinkedIn. According to his profile, he studied mechanical engineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) - a highly competitive university - where he took part in its Christian fellowship.

He graduated with a master's in computer science in 2025 from California State University, Dominguez Hills, marking the milestone by sharing a photo of himself in graduation robes to LinkedIn.

He also developed and released a game called "Bohrdom" to the gaming platform Steam.

On Facebook, photos of Allen, which we've matched to those of his arrest at the hotel, show him smiling in family photographs at Christmas and graduation events.

In December 2024 he was named teacher of the month by C2 Education, which offers tutoring and college test preparation to students, according to the organisation’s Facebook post. He has been a part-time teacher there since 2020, his LinkedIn profile says.

BBC Verify is continuing to look into Allen's social media and online presence.

Image source, Cole Allen/LinkedIn

Image source, Reuters

Continuing his round of US media outlets, acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche has given CNN more details about the shooting.

Suspect appears unknown to police: Blanche says it appears the suspect bought the two firearms he had "in the last couple of years", and reiterated that there is "not any indication yet" he was on the radar of the authorities.

Electronic devices seized: Authorities "executed a number of search warrants" last night and are investigating electronic devices they've seized, believed to belong to the suspect.

Not ruling out further charges: It "remains to be seen" whether more charges than the two already announced will be raised against the suspect on Monday - Blanche says "absolutely" he could be charged with attempted assassination depending on the evidence.

Sounds like royal visit will still go ahead, but security will be tightenedpublished at 14:36 BST

14:36 BST

Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

Image source, Reuters

Even before last night's shooting incident in Washington DC, security for the King and Queen's state visit was going to be very tight.

Now it will be going up another level.

It sounds as though the royal visit to the US is still going ahead, but with the potential for some adaptations in the light of any security concerns.

That presumably would mean thinking about times when the visitors would be in sight of the public - and King Charles usually likes to meet the crowds. It's often a highlight of such trips, as he's good with people.

When President Trump visited the UK last autumn, almost all the events happened inside Windsor Castle. He was helicoptered in and out of that secure bubble and behind those walls and so was kept away from any contact with the public.

For those planning the King and Queen's trip, which starts on Monday, it was already diplomatically complicated, and now there are last-minute decisions of another kind to consider.

Image source, Reuters

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has spoken to US President Donald Trump on the phone this afternoon.

He extended his best wishes to the president and first lady following the "shocking scenes at last night’s White House Correspondents' Dinner", according to a Downing Street spokesperson.

The PM expressed his relief that they were safe, and wished a speedy recovery to the officer injured in the incident, the spokesperson adds.

The two leaders also discussed the situation in the Middle East and the "urgent need to get shipping moving again in the Strait of Hormuz, given the severe consequences for the global economy".

Image source, Getty Images

Dressed in a black tuxedo just hours after he was at the centre of yet another major security incident, US President Donald Trump told reporters: "I can't imagine that there's any profession that is more dangerous."

While a small army of Secret Service agents make the president arguably the world's most protected person, keeping him safe is proving to be no easy task.

First there was the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in the summer of 2024 in which a bullet grazed his ear. Just 64 days later, Trump was again the target of a would-be assassin as he played a round on his Florida golf course.

And now, hours after gunshots shattered the revelry of the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at Hilton hotel in the nation's capital, Trump's security is once again under scrutiny.

Read the full story here.