Mayhem erupted at the annual White House correspondents’ dinner when a gunman barged into the lobby outside the ballroom, prompting the swift evacuation of Donald Trump. During the chaos, a Secret Service agent was shot at close range but survived thanks to his bulletproof vest, while attendees inside the Washington Hilton Hotel’s ballroom sought cover by diving under tables. Melania Trump was unharmed and quickly escorted off stage when the shots rang out. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California, was armed with multiple weapons, including a handgun, shotgun, and knives, according to the police.
Following the incident, Trump labeled the suspect as a “lone wolf whack job” during a press conference. The disruption occurred around 8:35 pm local time, with guests being instructed to take cover as shots were fired, leading to the immediate removal of the President from the stage by the Secret Service.
At 9:17 pm, Trump took to Truth Social to inform the public that the apprehension of the suspected gunman had been successful. He praised the Secret Service and law enforcement for their swift response, describing the evening in D.C. as eventful. Subsequent posts at 9:36 pm and 10:29 pm outlined the President’s plans to leave the hotel and shared CCTV footage of the suspect’s actions inside the venue.
A news conference held at 10:30 pm saw Trump reiterating the suspect’s characterization as a “lone wolf whack job,” with the presence of FBI chief Kash Patel and Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche. By 10:50 pm, media outlets had identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from California. Images from Torrance at 11:10 pm showed police conducting a search at a residence associated with the suspect, while the US Attorney for the District of Columbia announced intentions to formally charge the suspect in court on Monday with various offenses, including using a firearm during a violent crime.
Notably, this marked the third instance since 2024 where the President faced a direct threat from an assailant, including a previous assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump emphasized the need for heightened security measures post-attack, stressing the importance of safeguarding society against any threats.