Shooting Incident at White House Correspondents' Dinner

Apr 26, 2026

79 min

Apr 26, 2026 06:30

White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting: What we know so far

## Incident Overview

On Saturday night, gunfire erupted outside the ballroom of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, prompting the evacuation of President Donald Trump and other attendees. The event, held at the Washington Hilton Hotel, was disrupted shortly after the welcoming speech.

## Security Response

Tactical security teams quickly responded, securing the stage where President Trump, First Lady Melania, and Vice President JD Vance were seated. Guests took cover under tables before being evacuated to the hotel lobby and outside. No dignitaries or guests were injured.

## Details of the Shooting

Authorities reported that a lone gunman breached a security checkpoint near the ballroom around 8:36 pm. The suspect, armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives, was intercepted by law enforcement after exchanging gunfire. A Secret Service officer was injured but is recovering. The suspect was unharmed by gunfire and taken into custody.

## Suspect Information

The suspect, reportedly a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, was identified as Cole Tomas Allen. He is believed to have been a hotel guest and is facing charges of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer. Further charges may follow as investigations continue.

## Security Concerns

Questions have arisen about security measures at the event, particularly how the suspect managed to bring weapons into the hotel. While a magnetometer was present outside the ballroom, there was no screening at the hotel entrance. Authorities are reviewing security footage to understand how the breach occurred. President Trump praised the security response, comparing it favorably to a previous incident in Pennsylvania.

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