Gunfire at White House Correspondents' Dinner prompts evacuation of President Trump
Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Los Angeles, was detained at the scene after attempting to target administration officials with a shotgun and handgun.
Gunfire erupted at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday evening, forcing an emergency evacuation of US President Donald Trump and other senior officials. The incident occurred at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, where guests were compelled to take cover under tables as shots were heard following the welcoming speech.
A lone gunman, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, breached a lobby checkpoint armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives. Tactical security teams engaged the suspect in the ballroom, resulting in the swift removal of dignitaries including the President, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance. Allen, a 31-year-old from the Los Angeles area, stated to law enforcement that his intent was to target members of the Trump administration.
While no dignitaries or gala guests were injured, a uniformed Secret Service officer was struck in his vest and taken to a hospital. Authorities report that the officer is doing well following the incident. Allen was detained at the scene and is currently in custody, facing charges of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that a long gun and shell casings were recovered from the scene. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro indicated that other charges could be brought as the investigation proceeds. The suspect, described as a Caltech graduate working as a part-time teacher and game developer, is believed to have bypassed the outermost layer of security by checking in as a guest at the hotel.
President Trump commented on the incident during a press conference, noting he has studied assassinations and referencing Abraham Lincoln. He suggested that the attacks are a reaction to his impact on the country, stating that those who make the biggest impact are often the ones targeted. He also remarked that the security services performed a much better job than during the 2024 rally in Pennsylvania.
The annual dinner has been postponed and rescheduled for the following month. Questions regarding how the weapon was brought into the hotel remain under investigation, with officials reviewing video footage to determine how Allen made it past the checkpoint located right outside the ballroom.
