President Trump and cabinet evacuated from Washington Hilton gala after gunman charged Secret Service checkpoint Saturday evening. One agent injured; suspect apprehended.
A gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday evening, forcing President Donald Trump and his cabinet to be evacuated. The shooting occurred around 8:35 p.m. ET when the suspect charged a Secret Service checkpoint in the hotel's lobby area. [source]
The suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, according to interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll. Law enforcement exchanged gunfire with the individual, but the suspect was not struck by gunfire, Carroll said. "Law enforcement … they actually tackled him into the ground and handcuffed him," Carroll stated. [source]
The suspect has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen. A Secret Service agent was injured and transported to a local hospital, Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said. The suspect was also transferred to a local hospital where he was evaluated. [source]
President Trump said the suspected gunman had written an anti-Christian manifesto and had written about targeting his administration officials. Trump added that the suspect's family had raised concerns before Saturday's event. According to authorities, the suspect was targeting Trump and U.S. officials. [source]
Trump made his first public comments about the incident around 9:17 p.m. ET, saying law enforcement "acted quickly and bravely." He posted on Truth Social that "the shooter has been apprehended" and recommended that the event continue. [source]
"Law enforcement … they actually tackled him into the ground and handcuffed him." — interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll
Sources
- https://www.dawn.com/news/1995207/in-pictures-how-the-shooting-at-white-house-correspondents-dinner-unfolded — Timeline of incident, suspect identity (Cole Tomas Allen), weapons carried, law enforcement response, injuries, Trump's initial statements
- https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260426-live-trump-shooting-white-house-correspondents-dinner — Trump's statements about anti-Christian manifesto, targeting of administration officials, family concerns
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/26/trump-his-administration-likely-targets-at-media-dinner-us-official?traffic_source=rss — Authorities' assessment that suspect was targeting Trump and officials
- https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/spotlight/20260426-panick-in-the-white-house-attacker-tried-to-enter-the-press-correspondents-dinner — Evacuation of Trump and officials from dinner