An armed man was arrested on April 25, 2026, after charging a security checkpoint outside the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) Dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, fired shots that struck a U.S. Secret Service agent in a protective vest.
The agent was not seriously injured and is reported to be recovering well. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other senior officials were safely evacuated.
The incident occurred around 8:40 p.m. EDT near the main screening area outside the ballroom where the dinner was underway.
According to law enforcement sources and major news outlets including AP, Reuters, CNN, The New York Times, NBC, and the Los Angeles Times, Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives. Authorities said the gunfire lasted approximately 25 seconds before Secret Service agents tackled and subdued him on-site. No other injuries were reported.
President Trump later praised the rapid response of security personnel and spoke with the injured agent. Although the event was disrupted, Trump reportedly initially wanted the dinner to continue, saying to “let the show go on.” Law enforcement ultimately cleared the venue, and the president has since called for the dinner to be rescheduled.
Authorities describe Allen as acting alone, characterizing him as a “lone wolf.” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that preliminary findings suggest Allen appeared to be targeting members of the Trump administration. Some early reports indicate he allegedly told police he intended to “perpetrate as much damage as he could,” though investigators have not publicly released full details of any statements or writings. Trump referred to him as a “lone wolf whack job.”
Allen has no known prior criminal record and was not on any watchlist. He was believed to be a registered guest at the hotel. California voter records list him as having “No Party Preference.” Federal Election Commission data show he made a single $25 donation via ActBlue in October 2024 to a political action committee supporting Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. No verified evidence has linked him to any organized political group, and law enforcement has not substantiated claims circulating on social media alleging ties to Antifa or other organizations.
Allen graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 with a degree in mechanical engineering and later earned a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills, around May 2025. He previously worked as a mechanical engineer and had experience with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a research fellow or intern. More recently, he worked part-time as a teacher at C2 Education in Torrance and developed independent video games.
He is currently in custody and hospitalized for evaluation following his apprehension. Preliminary federal charges include assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. The FBI continues to investigate his motive, online activity, and how he transported the weapons. Authorities have indicated there is no evidence of foreign involvement at this time….See More
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