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 to disclose the information. 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 a loud noise was heard outside the room. Caterers screamed and ran for stairwells as attendees ducked and crouched against the walls.
The gunman exchanged gunfire with authorities before being brought under control by the Secret Service. He did not enter the ballroom, 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 around 9:45 p.m.
At a White House later news conference later that night, Mr. Trump said that a Secret Service officer had been shot but was protected by a bulletproof vest. He was taken to a hospital, officials said. 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, and is believed to have been staying at the hotel. Authorities said they believe he acted alone but are investigating whether he was targeting the president.
Social media accounts that appear to be linked to Mr. Allen describe him as an independent game developer and a teacher.
What is the White House correspondent’s dinner?
Each year, the White House Correspondents’ Association hosts a 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.
“Thank God he, the First Lady, and everyone who was attending the WHCD was safe,” Weijia Jiang, the association’s president and a CBS White House correspondent, said on social media.
Mr. Trump, who has had a strained relationship with the news media, had previously boycotted the event. Saturday marked his first appearance during either of his terms. He last attended in 2011, when he was a reality TV star.
He said 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.”
Jin Yu Young is a reporter and researcher for The Times, based in Seoul, covering South Korea and international breaking news.
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