Security Incident at White House Correspondents' Dinner

A Suspect Apprehended, Officer Injured at Washington Hilton

A law enforcement officer was shot in the chest but survived, thanks to a bullet-resistant vest. President Trump and other officials were evacuated.

A security incident occurred at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on April 25, 2026, at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other administration officials were present. A suspect was apprehended at the scene.

Incident Timeline

Preparations and Travel

According to court filings and official statements, the suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, reserved a room at the Washington Hilton on April 6, 2026. He traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago, then to Washington, D.C., arriving on April 24. He checked into the hotel.

On the day of the dinner, according to prosecutors, Allen accessed a website tracking the president's public schedule and viewed a live video feed of President Trump traveling to the hotel. At approximately 8:03 p.m. ET, he took a photograph of himself in his hotel room. The image, released in court documents, shows him wearing black clothing, an ammunition bag, a shoulder gun holster, and a sheathed knife.

Security Breach

At approximately 8:34 p.m. ET, Allen approached a security checkpoint on the second floor of the hotel, outside the ballroom where the dinner was taking place. Reports state he ran through a magnetometer holding a long gun.

A Secret Service officer drew his weapon and fired. Allen fell to the ground but was not hit by gunfire. He was subdued and taken into custody by law enforcement.

One Secret Service officer was shot in the chest. The officer was wearing a bullet-resistant vest and was taken to the hospital. The officer was later discharged and reported to be in good condition.

Immediate Aftermath

Upon hearing sounds of gunfire, Secret Service agents evacuated President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance from the ballroom. Cabinet members and other officials were also moved to secure locations within the hotel. Attendees in the ballroom took cover.

The event was initially paused, then canceled. The White House Correspondents' Association stated the dinner would be rescheduled. President Trump returned to the White House and held a press conference approximately two hours later.

Suspect Information

Identity and Background

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, is from Torrance, California. Court records describe him as a teacher and engineer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech, 2017) and a Master of Science in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills (2025). He worked as a part-time tutor at C2 Education, where he received a "teacher of the month" award in December 2024. He also developed an online video game, "Bohrdom," released in 2018.

Weapons

According to authorities, Allen was armed with:

• A 12-gauge pump-action shotgun (purchased August 2025)
• A .38 caliber semi-automatic pistol (purchased October 2023)
• Multiple knives

Officials stated both firearms were purchased legally in California.

Communications

According to law enforcement sources and court documents, minutes before the incident, Allen sent an email to family members. The email contained a document that authorities described as a manifesto. Allen's brother alerted police in New London, Connecticut, after receiving the communication.

In the document, Allen referred to himself as a "Friendly Federal Assassin" and stated he intended to target Trump administration officials, "prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest," excluding FBI Director Kash Patel. He wrote that law enforcement, hotel employees, and guests were not his intended targets but that he would attack them if necessary to reach administration officials.

In a separate note sent to family, Allen expressed opposition to the administration and stated he did not expect to survive the attack.

Political Donation

Federal Election Commission records show that in October 2024, Allen donated $25 to ActBlue for Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign. Authorities have not stated a motive.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

Initial Charges

Allen was initially charged by complaint with:

• Attempt to assassinate the President of the United States
• Transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony
• Discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence

Grand Jury Indictment

On May 5, 2026, a federal grand jury indicted Allen on four charges:

• Attempting to assassinate the president
• Assault on an officer of the United States
• Discharging a firearm during an act of violence
• Transporting a firearm across state lines

Court Appearances

Allen made his initial federal court appearance on April 27. He did not enter a plea and was ordered to remain in custody.

On April 30, Allen appeared before Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya. His attorney, Tezira Abe, stated Allen was conceding to detention at that time but reserved the right to challenge it later. Judge Upadhyaya criticized prosecutors for attempting to proceed with a detention hearing after the defense had conceded.

On May 4, Allen appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui for a hearing regarding his jail conditions. Judge Faruqui criticized the District of Columbia Department of Corrections for its treatment of Allen, stating that the conditions, including suicide watch and isolation, were "legally deficient." The judge apologized to Allen and ordered the jail to provide him with a Bible he had requested.

On May 11, Allen pleaded not guilty to all four charges in a hearing before U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden. He appeared in an orange jumpsuit and was shackled at the wrists and feet. Judge McFadden set a hearing for June 29.

The defense has indicated it will seek to disqualify Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro from the case, arguing they were present at the dinner and may be considered victims.

Investigation Status

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated on May 4 that ballistics evidence showed a buckshot pellet from Allen's shotgun was recovered from the protective vest of the Secret Service officer. She stated, "It is definitively his bullet."

Allen invoked his right to remain silent after arrest and is not cooperating with investigators, according to officials.

Security Incident Near the White House (May 4, 2026)

On May 4, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m. , U.S. Secret Service officers observed a man carrying a firearm near the White House perimeter. When uniformed officers attempted to approach, the individual fled and fired in their direction. Officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The suspect was hospitalized. A juvenile bystander was struck by gunfire and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The White House was briefly placed on lockdown. President Trump was inside the White House at the time and was not in danger, according to the Secret Service. Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn stated there is no known link between this incident and prior threats to the president. The D.C. Police Department is handling the investigation.