In the aftermath, President Trump identified the suspect as being from California, dismissing him as a likely “lone wolf” operative. “He’s a sick person,” Trump stated, underscoring the unpredictable nature of such threats. The suspect was swiftly apprehended, marking a successful intervention by the security forces present.
Officials identified the shooting suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California. He was taken to a local hospital, according to Washington, D.C., police, who said the suspect had been staying at the hotel and was armed with a shotgun, handgun and knives.
He was not shot but was being medically evaluated, officials said.
No serious injuries were reported, although the suspect fired his shotgun at a Secret Service agent, according to Reuters, citing an FBI official. Trump said the agent was wearing a bulletproof vest and escaped harm.
The suspect faces charges of assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during a crime of violence, said Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
“Make no mistake, there will be many more charges based upon the information we are learning in this very fluid situation,” she said.
White House ballroom ‘cannot be built fast enough!’: Trump
In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said that the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday highlights the need for a ballroom at the White House.
“This event would never have happened with the Militarily Top Secret Ballroom currently under construction at the White House. It cannot be built fast enough!” Trump said. “While beautiful, it has every highest level security feature there is plus, there are no rooms sitting on top for unsecured people to pour in, and is inside the gates of the most secure building in the World, The White House.”
Earlier this month, a U.S. Court of Appeals said the construction of the ballroom could continue on temporarily after a judge halted construction in March.
Correspondents’ dinner gunman believed to be targeting Trump: Todd Blanche
The accused gunman is believed to have been targeting members of the Trump administration, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday.
Blanche also said officials believe the suspect traveled by train from California to Chicago and then on to Washington, where in recent days he checked in as a guest to the hotel where one of Washington’s glitziest events was being held Saturday night.
Law enforcement officials who have examined the gunman’s electronic devices and his writings preliminarily believe he intended to target administration members in attendance at the dinner.
The suspect is believed to have purchased the firearms he carried within the last couple of years, Blanche said. He is not being cooperative and is expected to face multiple charges on Monday.
Witnesses describe shooting at WHCA dinner
Dinner attendees were eating salad when shots were heard, prompting people to dive for cover under tables. Trump said he initially thought someone had dropped a tray.
“We were sitting here, and we just heard a loud ‘pop, pop, pop.’ Everybody just went under the table, and we didn’t know what was happening,” NewsNation White House correspondent Kellie Meyer said shortly after the disturbance.
Another NewsNation correspondent, Libbey Dean, said she was “tackled to the ground” while talking to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.
More than 2,000 people were at the event, which was to feature a speech by Trump.
“Thank God everybody’s safe,” White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang told audience members after police gave instructions for everyone to leave.
A ‘chaotic’ scene as government leaders were rushed to secure locations
Johnson was among several top lawmakers and cabinet members who were at the dinner.
“Kelly and I were at the event tonight, and we’re thankful no innocent people were harmed and everyone is now safe,” he said in a prepared statement.
Congressman Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., told NewsNation he heard gunshots that were about 50 to 75 feet from where he was seated. “Drinks were falling over, it was a really chaotic moment.”
“My security team called me, and told me to leave and get to the exit,” said Rep. Abraham Hamadeh, R. Ariz. “(US Attorney for D.C.) Jeannine Pirro was right in front of me, and Kash Patel, the director of the FBI was right there. I think they put them in a secure room as we were being escorted up and out of the building.”
Agents draw their guns after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents’ dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. President Trump is attending the annual gala of the political press for the first time while in office. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)
Members of law enforcement respond during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Todd Blanche, acting US attorney general, from left, US President Donald Trump, and Kash Patel, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), during a news conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US on Saturday, April 25, 2026. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner event in Washington Saturday following a security incident at the venue. Photographer: Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 25: People take cover after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire.(Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 25: Agents escort people after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
Guests walk away from the Washington Hilton amid a heavy police presence after shots were heard during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. Shots were fired as US President Donald Trump attended a press dinner in Washington on April 25 night, witnesses and AFP reporters confirmed. Loud bangs were heard and guests at the black-tie White House Correspondents’ Dinner scrambled to hide under tables. Tactical teams with guns drawn took position on the stage where Trump had been sitting before he was evacuated. (Photo by Ulysse BELLIER / AFP via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 25: (L-R) Melania Trump, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Weijia Jiang attend as Mentalist Oz Pearlman hosts The White House Correspondents Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for OP)
TOPSHOT – A screen grab taken from a video filmed by an AFP reporter shows armed agents moving to the stage after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents’ dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. Shots were fired as US President Donald Trump attended a press dinner in Washington on Saturday night, witnesses and AFP reporters confirmed. Loud bangs were heard and guests at the black-tie White House Correspondents’ Dinner scrambled to hide under tables. (Photo by Danny KEMP and AFPTV teams / AFP via Getty Images)
“It was really jarring to hear those gunshots,” he said.
Saturday was Trump’s first appearance at dinner as president The president said the correspondents’ dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days. He said he had pushed to resume the program Saturday but deferred to security protocol.
Saturday’s event marked the first time Trump had attended the White House correspondents’ dinner as a sitting president. Trump, who has had a sometimes rocky relationship with the media, had snubbed previous events but agreed to attend this year, in recognition of the nation’s 250th birthday.
“Because the Press was extraordinarily bad to me, FAKE NEWS ALL, right from the beginning of my First Term, I boycotted the event, and never went as Honoree. However, I look forward to being with everyone this year. Hopefully, it will be something very Special. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump said in a social media post last month.
The White House Correspondents’ Association holds the event every year, and the dinner is the “main source of revenue to finance all of our work, including support of the journalists working to cover the president, events and programs to educate the public about the value of the First Amendment and a free press, and scholarships to help the next generation of journalists,” according to the organization.
