Trump Unharmed, Suspect in Custody After Shots Fired at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

On the evening of April 25, 2026, shots were fired near the security screening area at the Washington Hilton hotel during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. This prompted the evacuation of President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and members of the Cabinet by Secret Service agents ^[1][2]. President Trump was confirmed to be uninjured in the incident ^[2][1].

The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, was taken into custody at the scene. Allen was reportedly armed with multiple weapons, including a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives ^[2][1].

A Secret Service or law enforcement officer was shot during the incident but was protected by a bullet-resistant vest and is expected to recover ^[2][1]. CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer reported being only a few feet away from the gunman when shots were fired ^[3][1].

The event was canceled following the incident and is expected to be rescheduled ^[2][4].

What Is Known

The shots were fired near the security screening area, leading to the evacuation of key officials, including President Trump, who was unharmed ^[1][2]. The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, was apprehended at the scene with multiple weapons ^[2][1]. A law enforcement officer was shot but is expected to recover due to protective gear ^[2][1]. The dinner event was canceled and will be rescheduled ^[2][4].

What Remains Unclear

It remains unconfirmed whether the suspect acted alone, as police believe, but this has not been corroborated by multiple independent sources ^[2]. Additionally, the exact number of shots fired has not been confirmed, with some witnesses reporting between five to eight shots ^[2].