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President and First Lady rushed to safety after shots reported
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were swiftly evacuated from the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night following reports of gunfire at the Washington Hilton hotel. The Secret Service confirmed one suspect was detained, and no injuries were reported.
Incident unfolds during high-profile event
The annual dinner, a long-standing tradition attended by journalists and politicians, was abruptly interrupted when loud bangs echoed through the ballroom. Footage from inside the venue showed Trump and Melania Trump seated onstage before security agents rushed them away as guests took cover under tables.
Secret Service agents drew weapons and secured the area, while attendees described scenes of confusion. The event was later delayed and rescheduled after a brief lockdown.
Suspect identified and taken into custody
Authorities identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California. The Secret Service confirmed he was apprehended after allegedly charging security with a firearm. Police sources told CBS News that Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.
Interim Washington D.C. Police Chief Jeffery Carroll stated Allen was a guest at the hotel where the dinner was held. Law enforcement sources told CBS and the BBC that Allen had expressed intent to target Trump administration officials.
Trump addresses incident from White House
In a statement from the White House, Trump described the suspect as a "very sick man" and confirmed one Secret Service agent was shot at close range but was unharmed due to a bulletproof vest. "I just spoke to the officer, and he's doing great," Trump said, adding that the agent was in "very high spirits."
The president also referenced two prior assassination attempts-one at a Pennsylvania rally in July 2024 and another while golfing in Florida in September 2024. He noted that Melania Trump was "rather traumatized" by the evening's events but praised the media for their "responsible" coverage.
"It's always shocking when this happens, that never changes."
President Donald Trump
Legal proceedings and background
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced Allen would face federal charges, including assault on federal officers and using a firearm during a violent crime. He is expected to appear in court on Monday.
Allen, a 2017 graduate of the California Institute of Technology, worked at a Torrance tutoring firm, C2 Education, where he received a "Teacher of the Month" award in December 2024. The Torrance Unified School District confirmed he was never employed by their system.
FBI agents were later seen searching a California address linked to Allen. His current employment status with C2 Education remains unclear.
Event organizers respond
The White House Correspondents' Association announced the dinner would resume at a later date, though no specific timeline was provided. Trump had initially suggested continuing the event but deferred to law enforcement protocols.
This was Trump's first appearance at the dinner as president, though he had attended in 2011. The tradition, dating back to 1921, typically draws high-profile political figures and media representatives.
