Cole Thomas Allen Identified as Suspect in White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting
Authorities say the suspect opened fire with a shotgun and handgun, and one Secret Service officer was struck in a vest.
- On Saturday, April 25, 2026, a gunman rushed a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C., prompting the immediate evacuation of President Donald Trump and other senior officials from the ballroom.
- Authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, who was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives when he stormed the checkpoint near the ballroom.
- Secret Service agents neutralized the shooter after he fired shots, striking one officer in his protective vest; Interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll stated authorities believe Allen acted as a "lone wolf."
- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro confirmed Allen faces charges including assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, with arraignment scheduled for Monday; officials plan to reschedule the dinner within 30 days.
- Investigators are probing Allen's background and electronics to determine a motive, which remains unclear, while leaders from both parties denounced the violence and emphasized that political discourse must remain safe.
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646 Articles
Six Thoughts on the Correspondents’ Dinner Attack
President Trump addressing reporters on Saturday night. (Photo by the White House)Washington remains shaken this morning after the familiar ritual of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner took a dark turn on Saturday night, as a gunman raced through security attempting to wreak havoc.The suspect, a 31-year-old California teacher named Cole Tomas Allen, was quickly tackled to the ground. Inside the ballroom, top officials including President Don…
5 things to know about suspected WHCA Dinner shooting suspect Cole Allen
Investigators, family members and former colleagues have since described a man who appeared unremarkable until the attack. Officials and media reports have since revealed a detailed picture of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooter Cole Thomas Allen. #ColeAllen #Torrance #California #Firing #WhiteHouseShooting #WHCADinner #PresidentTrump #FBI #AntiChristianManifesto
NewsBusters Podcast: The Third Failed Assassin Ruins the Media Dinner
A California man, Cole Tomas Allen, decided to shoot up the White House Correspondents Dinner, and ruined all the fun where President Trump was expected to unload about an hour of mockery on the elitist media. Does anyone expect this scare to change the longstanding hostility of the press corps? NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck and associate editor Nick Fondacaro joined the show, since they worked long into the evening after the dinner o…
The Toronto Star
Accused attacker at Washington media dinner is a tutor and computer engineer from California
TORRANCE, Calif. (AP) — The California man arrested in the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer opposed to
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