Trump rushed to safety after shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
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Washington, D.C. — The White House Correspondents’ Dinner quickly descended into chaos on Saturday as gunshots rang out in Washington, D.C., which is hosting the annual gala with President Donald Trump in attendance.
According to authorities, the suspect was identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California. Law enforcement officials added that he prepared a manifesto and posted on social media outlining his intention to target Trump and other administration officials, officials said.
Authorities said Allen’s sister, Avriana Allen, told the Secret Service and Montgomery County Police that her brother had made radical statements in the past and had previously talked about a plan to do “something” to fix what he believed were problems with today’s society.
MANIFESTO SHOT THE SUSPECT PLANNED TO TARGETE TRUMP OFFICIALS
Law enforcement detained Cole Allen following an alleged shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. (@realDonaldTrump via Truth Social)
Allen allegedly stormed into the lobby of the Washington Hilton with a gun a few minutes after the event started and was quickly captured by members of the Secret Service.
He is currently in custody and authorities are expected to file federal charges against him on Monday.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller helps his wife, Katie Miller, after the incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump and other officials were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after gunshots were heard. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Here’s a timeline of events leading up to the shooting:
October 2023:
Allen legally purchases a .38 caliber semi-automatic pistol. accordingly Associated Press. Two years later he purchased a 12-gauge shotgun.
WATCH: Suspect goes from ‘nerdy geek’ to attempted attacker: Asra Nomani
His sister told authorities that the guns were purchased from Cap Tactical Firearms and stored at her parents’ home, and that her parents had no idea the guns were stored there.
WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER SUSPECT ENTERED HILTON HOTEL ONE DAY BEFORE THE SHOOTING: SOURCES
As shots are fired at the reporters’ dinner, security guards search for threats. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
He also revealed that he regularly visits his brother’s shooting range, is a member of a group called “The Wide Awakes” and previously participated in the “No Kings” protest in California.
President Donald Trump gestures while speaking in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House after a gunman opened fire at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)
Mid-April 2026:
Allen allegedly traveled by train from California to Washington, D.C., with a stop in Chicago, according to authorities.
Attendees crawl under tables during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. (Jessica Koscielniak/Reuters)
Friday, April 24
Allen checked into the Washington Hilton the day before the gala dinner on April 25, sources told Fox News.
Armed Secret Service agents stand on stage during a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC on April 25, 2026. President Donald Trump and other government officials were evacuated after a gunman opened fire. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Saturday, April 25, 20:00
The 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner begins with Trump taking his seat next to Vice President J.D. Vance and First Lady Melania Trump. Several administration officials also attended the meeting, including FBI Director Kash Patel and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
WATCH: Trey Yingst streams live from WHCD during shooting
GOT A TIP?
Before the shooting, Allen allegedly sent a written manifesto explaining his intention to target Trump administration officials to family members, according to law enforcement sources.
A diagram showing the layout of the international penthouse of the Washington Hilton, with a gunman advancing into the hotel. (Washington Hilton Floor Plan/TruthSocial/Amanda Macias/Fox News Digital)
Saturday, April 25, 20:30
Gunshots can be heard on the hotel terrace, where hundreds of journalists and cabinet officials are enjoying the start of the programme, one floor below the hotel lobby and one floor above the International Ballroom.
Media and onlookers gather outside a home linked to shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, 2026 in Torrance, California. (Robbin Goddard/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
According to authorities, Allen attacked the security checkpoint in the hotel lobby with firearms and knives and attacked a police officer wearing a ballistic vest.
Cole Allen in his graduation gown, worn on an unknown date. (Cole Allen/LinkedIn)
Allen is captured by members of the Secret Service as they return fire and tackle him to the ground.
While journalists and other attendees take shelter under tables in the ballroom, Trump and other high-ranking members of the federal government are whisked away to safety by the Secret Service within seconds.
Senator Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and First Lady Melania Trump hold a press conference after President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance were evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner following a security incident in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)
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The assaulted police officer will later be transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive.
Law enforcement officials block off the street at an address linked to shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Torrance, California. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
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Saturday, April 25, 21:17
Trump made his first comments following the attack at Truth Social, praising police officers for acting “swiftly and bravely.” Trump also added that “the shooter has been caught” and suggested the event go ahead.
WATCH: WHCD attack appears to be third incident targeting Trump
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Saturday, April 25, 21:36
Trump made a second post to Truth Social, explaining that law enforcement asked the participants to evacuate the building in accordance with protocol.
Saturday, April 25, 22:49
Following the shooting, Allen’s brother contacts the New London Police Department in Connecticut regarding his alleged manifesto.
Law enforcement members shoot suspect Cole Tomas Allen during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington. (Alex Brandon/AP)
According to the Associated Press, the police said in a statement that they were contacted at 22:49, but that there was someone who wanted to share information about the issue and that the department immediately alerted federal law enforcement.
Sunday, April 26
According to authorities, Allen first spoke with police before refusing to talk as of Sunday morning.
Authorities executed search warrants Sunday in Los Angeles and Washington, including the hotel room where the suspect was staying, Blanche said. Investigators are reviewing devices and communications seized during searches.
President Trump made statements following the incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Fox News)
Blanche added that Allen appeared to have purchased the guns “in the last few years.”
“That could be another reason why he traveled by train because he had firearms with him, but I’m speculating on that,” he said.
Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom, Amanda Macias and CJ Womack contributed to this report.
