31-Year-Old California Man Opens Fire Outside White House Correspondents' Dinner
A shooting occurred outside the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner attended by President Trump. The 31-year-old suspect, Cole Thomas Allen, was apprehended, and no guests were harmed.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 26, 2026 at 13:51
- 🔍 Collected: April 26, 2026 at 14:01 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 26, 2026 at 14:04 (3 min after Collected)
Washington (AFP) — Gunshots rang out tonight outside the venue where U.S. President Donald Trump was attending the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Trump later released surveillance footage on social media, identifying the shooter as Cole Thomas Allen, 31, from California.
Approximately 2,600 guests were attending the gala at the Washington Hilton Hotel—the same location where President Ronald Reagan was shot and seriously wounded in 1981.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed a suspect is in custody and stated the incident happened near a major security checkpoint. A statement confirmed the safety of the President, First Lady, and all protected individuals.
Trump praised the Secret Service and law enforcement for their brave and rapid response. He noted that guests were asked to leave and he plans to reschedule the event within a month. FBI officials confirmed an armed man fired at Secret Service personnel. Trump later told reporters at the White House that the suspect rushed the venue with multiple weapons and shot a Secret Service officer at close range; the officer survived thanks to a bulletproof vest. Trump described the suspect as a 'sick person' and noted that investigators are searching his residence in California.
Approximately 2,600 guests were attending the gala at the Washington Hilton Hotel—the same location where President Ronald Reagan was shot and seriously wounded in 1981.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed a suspect is in custody and stated the incident happened near a major security checkpoint. A statement confirmed the safety of the President, First Lady, and all protected individuals.
Trump praised the Secret Service and law enforcement for their brave and rapid response. He noted that guests were asked to leave and he plans to reschedule the event within a month. FBI officials confirmed an armed man fired at Secret Service personnel. Trump later told reporters at the White House that the suspect rushed the venue with multiple weapons and shot a Secret Service officer at close range; the officer survived thanks to a bulletproof vest. Trump described the suspect as a 'sick person' and noted that investigators are searching his residence in California.