Gunman Opens Fire at White House Correspondents’ Dinner; Secret Service Subdues Suspect

WASHINGTON — A lone gunman identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, opened fire near a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026, prompting the immediate evacuation of President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and senior Cabinet officials.

The incident unfolded around 8:35–8:40 p.m. ET when Allen, a registered guest at the hotel, charged past outer security and fired shots near the magnetometer screening area outside the ballroom. The exchange of gunfire lasted roughly 25 seconds. One Secret Service officer was struck but protected by a bullet-resistant vest and is expected to recover fully. No other injuries were reported. Allen was quickly subdued by law enforcement and transported to Howard University Hospital for evaluation.

President Trump confirmed via social media shortly after 9:17 p.m. that the shooter was in custody. At approximately 10:30 p.m., Trump held a White House press conference with Vice President Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, and other officials, describing the suspect as a “lone wolf” and a “sick person.” By 11:13 p.m., the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia filed federal charges against Allen for using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. Overnight, the FBI executed search warrants at addresses linked to Allen in Torrance, California, including a home believed to be his parents’ residence.

What We Know So Far About the Shooter

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, is a Caltech graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (2017) and a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills (2025). He worked as a teacher and tutor in the Torrance Unified School District, where he was recently named “Teacher of the Month.” He was also known as an amateur indie video game developer.

Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives. Authorities have described him as acting alone with no known accomplices. No motive has been publicly released. The FBI is leading the investigation, examining ballistics evidence, interviewing witnesses, and conducting a thorough review of Allen’s background, digital footprint, and possible connections.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated investigators are “looking thoroughly” into every aspect of the case and urged the public to provide any relevant information.

The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was canceled following the incident and will be rescheduled within the next 30 days, President Trump announced.

The incident remains under active investigation by the FBI, Secret Service, D.C. Metropolitan Police, and other agencies. No terrorism charges have been announced at this time.