The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, held to celebrate press freedom, quickly descended into panic on Saturday evening when a man carrying multiple weapons charged past a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton and exchanged fire with law enforcement officials before being taken into custody.
President Trump, attending the dinner for the first time in either of his terms, said he heard a loud noise toward the back of the ballroom before a Secret Service agent shouted “Shots fired.” Agents rushed to the president and escorted him and the first lady out.
The suspect was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, Calif., by law enforcement officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity. They did not disclose a motive.
Mr. Trump has had attempts on his life before. In July 2024, his ear was grazed by a bullet in an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa. Months later, a federal agent fired on an armed man at Mr. Trump’s Florida golf club.
What happened?
Around 8 p.m., minutes after the event began, a gunman charged past a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton, according to a security video posted by Mr. Trump.
In the video, law enforcement officials are seen chasing him as tuxedoed agents draw their guns and run toward the ballroom.
Witnesses inside said they heard a loud noise outside the room. Caterers screamed and ran for stairwells as attendees ducked and crouched against the walls.
The man exchanged gunfire with the authorities before being brought under control by the Secret Service. He did not enter the ballroom, the authorities said.
Investigators believe he fired at least once, the Washington police said. Officials were still reviewing ballistics evidence and shell casings.
Mr. Trump, the first lady, Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other top officials were escorted from the hotel at around 9:45 p.m.
At a White House news conference later that night, Mr. Trump said a Secret Service officer had been shot but was protected by a bulletproof vest. The officer was taken to a hospital but later released, said Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Secret Service. There were no other reported injuries, according to Markwayne Mullin, the homeland security secretary.
Who is the suspect?
Mr. Allen, the man two law enforcement officials said was the suspect taken into custody, was carrying knives, a shotgun and a handgun, officials said.
Appearing on “Meet the Press” on NBC on Sunday, Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, said investigators had determined that the suspect took a train from Los Angeles to Chicago, and then from Chicago to Washington, where he checked into the Washington Hilton a day or two before the hotel hosted the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. The authorities said they believed he acted alone.
Federal authorities in Los Angeles said a search warrant was served late Saturday night at the suspect’s house in suburban Torrance, Calif. Social media accounts that appear to be linked to Mr. Allen describe him as an independent game developer and a teacher.
What have the authorities said about a motive?
Mr. Blanche said a preliminary review of the evidence led investigators to believe the gunman “set out to target folks that work in the administration, likely including the president.”
A note that the authorities say was written by the suspect appears to express deep anger at the administration and the president. Administration figures were the suspect’s “targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest,” according to a copy of the roughly 1,000-word document shared by two law enforcement officials who were not authorized to disclose the information.
Mr. Blanche said investigators “know there were some writings” in the initial evidence gathered that, combined with initial interviews, led investigators to believe the man intended to target administration officials. Mr. Blanche also cautioned that their understanding of the man’s motives could change as the investigation continues.
Shortly before the attack, the suspect sent messages to his relatives denouncing Trump administration policies and suggesting he intended to take violent action, according to a person familiar with the investigation. Other written material found in his hotel room contained similar statements, the person said.
In an interview with Fox News, Mr. Trump said that the suspect had “a manifesto” and that he “hates Christians,” but he did not offer further details.
What is the White House correspondents’ dinner?
The White House Correspondents’ Association hosts an annual dinner to celebrate press freedom and the First Amendment. Founded in 1914, the association represents nearly 1,000 journalists who cover the White House.
The event draws hundreds of journalists, celebrities and politicians from both major parties. It has been held at the Washington Hilton for decades.
Mr. Trump, who has had a strained relationship with the news media, had previously boycotted the event. Saturday was his first appearance during either of his terms. He last attended in 2011, when he was a reality TV star.
He said the dinner would be rescheduled within a month.
“This was an event dedicated to freedom of speech that was supposed to bring together members of both parties with members of the press. And in a certain way it did,” Mr. Trump said on Saturday. “I saw a room that was just totally unified. It was in one way, very beautiful, a very beautiful thing to see.”
Alexandra E. Petri contributed reporting.
