PM Narendra Modi on Sunday responded to the shooting scare at a White House event attended by US President Donald Trump, expressing relief that the President, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance were “safe and unharmed.”
“Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned”, Modi wrote on X.
The remarks came shortly after a security scare disrupted the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C., prompting an immediate evacuation of Trump and other senior officials.
Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2026
What happened at the White House event?
According to officials cited by the Associated Press, the suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California.
Authorities said gunfire was reported during the event, triggering a rapid response from security agencies. Although there have not been any reports of anyone getting injured initially, this case certainly raised alarm bells due to the involvement of top government officials.
According to law enforcement agencies, the individual possessed various weapons during the attack, signalling an extremely serious breach that is now being investigated thoroughly.
Investigation and charges
The FBI confirmed that the accused is in custody, with its Washington field office taking charge of the probe.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the suspect is facing preliminary charges linked to firearm use and assaulting a law enforcement officer with a dangerous weapon. She noted that additional charges could follow as investigators piece together more details, calling the case a “very fluid situation.”
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Pirro also said the accused is expected to be presented in federal district court on Monday as legal proceedings begin.
The incident has certainly raised issues regarding the security measures for high-level political events in America. Officials are continuing to assess how the suspect was able to access the venue with weapons, even as agencies work to establish the full sequence of events.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
