White House Dinner Shooting: Suspect Charged with Attempted Assassination

Washington D.C. – Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, has been charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner held at the Washington Hilton Hotel on Saturday evening, April 25, 2026. The incident prompted a swift evacuation of the President and other dignitaries.

The Attack and Immediate Response

According to law enforcement officials, Allen charged a security checkpoint armed with a shotgun and other weapons. A Secret Service agent was shot but protected by a bulletproof vest. The suspect was tackled by agents before reaching the ballroom where the dinner was underway. Between five and eight shots were fired during the exchange.

President Trump, along with First Lady Melania Trump and other members of the administration, were quickly escorted from the room by security personnel. Footage shows security agents flanking the President and First Lady as they rushed towards an exit. President Trump initially thought the noise was a tray dropping, stating, “I heard a noise and sort of thought it was a tray. I’ve heard that many times, and it was a pretty loud noise, and it was from quite far away.”

“It’s a dangerous profession,” Trump said when asked about his personal safety, adding that the injured Secret Service agent was in “great shape.” He stated he had spoken to the agent, telling him, “I told him we love him and respect him and he’s a very proud guy.”

Suspect’s Background and Pre-Attack Activity

Authorities have identified the suspect as Cole Allen, who was working as a tutor. He had booked a room at the Washington Hilton in early April. Prior to the attack, Allen allegedly took selfies, including one with a knife, which were released by prosecutors. U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro stated that the suspect “was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could.”

Investigation and Aftermath

The suspect is currently in custody and has not yet entered a plea. The investigation is ongoing, but officials believe Allen acted alone. President Trump has praised law enforcement for their quick response and has indicated that the annual dinner will be rescheduled within the next 30 days. CCTV footage released by President Trump shows the suspect rushing security, followed by the ensuing confrontation.

Key Takeaways

• Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has been charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump.
• A Secret Service agent was injured but protected by a bulletproof vest.
• The suspect acted alone and had pre-planned the attack, booking a hotel room in April.
• President Trump praised the swift response of law enforcement.

This incident raises concerns about security measures at high-profile events and underscores the dangers faced by those in public service. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full extent of the suspect’s motives and any potential connections to extremist groups.