Security Incident at Washington Hilton During WHCA Dinner

A gunman breached security at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on April 25, 2026, prompting the evacuation of President Donald Trump, the First Lady, Vice President JD Vance, and thousands of guests. One law enforcement officer was injured; the suspect was apprehended and faces multiple federal charges.

Incident Timeline

At approximately 8:30 PM ET on April 25, dinner service was underway in the ballroom of the Washington Hilton. The event was attended by President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Cabinet members, and approximately 2,500 journalists and guests.

Attendees reported hearing loud popping sounds. Secret Service agents entered the ballroom and instructed attendees to take cover. President Trump, the First Lady, and Vice President Vance were escorted off the stage and out of the ballroom by security personnel. Cabinet members and other officials were also evacuated from the venue.

The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, approached a security checkpoint on the second floor of the hotel. According to law enforcement, Allen ran through a magnetometer while holding a long gun. A U.S. Secret Service officer confronted Allen. An exchange of gunfire occurred, with a total of six shots fired: one by Allen and five by the officer.

Allen fell to the ground and was subdued and taken into custody. The Secret Service officer was struck by gunfire in the chest but was protected by a bullet-resistant vest. The officer was taken to a hospital and later released. Allen was not shot but was transported to a hospital for evaluation before being taken into custody.

The event was initially paused and later canceled. The WHCA announced the dinner would be rescheduled.

Suspect Background and Planning

According to court documents and law enforcement statements, Allen is a resident of Torrance, California. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology (2017) and a Master of Science in Computer Science from California State University, Dominguez Hills (2025). He was employed as a part-time tutor at C2 Education, where he was named "Teacher of the Month" in December 2024, and was also an independent video game developer.

Investigators stated that Allen traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago, and then to Washington, D.C., arriving on April 24. He had booked a room at the Washington Hilton hotel. Court documents indicate that Allen had searched for information about the WHCA dinner online and accessed President Trump's public schedule on the day of the event.

Minutes before the incident, Allen sent pre-scheduled emails to family members, which authorities described as a "manifesto" and an "Apology and Explanation."

According to law enforcement, the emails stated that Allen intended to target members of the Trump administration, "prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest," but not including FBI Director Kash Patel. The emails also expressed criticism of the administration.

A selfie taken by Allen in his hotel room at approximately 8:03 PM was entered into court records. The image shows him wearing black clothing with an ammunition bag, shoulder gun holster, and sheathed knife.

Allen's brother contacted police in New London, Connecticut, after receiving the emails, and authorities alerted law enforcement in Washington.

Weapons and Preparations

At the time of the incident, Allen was armed with:

• A 12-gauge pump-action shotgun (purchased August 2025)
• A .38 caliber pistol (purchased October 2023)
• Multiple knives

Both firearms were purchased legally in California. Prosecutors stated that Allen stored the weapons at his parents' home without their knowledge and regularly visited a shooting range for training.

Legal Proceedings

Allen faces charges including:

• Attempted assassination of the President of the United States
• Discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence
• Transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony
• Assault on a federal officer

Allen appeared in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., on April 27. He did not enter a plea at that appearance and was ordered to remain in custody. At a subsequent hearing, Allen pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Allen's defense attorneys sought his removal from suicide precautions at the D.C. jail, arguing that the conditions violated his due process rights. The defense stated that Allen had been placed in a "safe cell" with 24-hour lockdown and was later placed on suicide precautions, which restricted communications and movement. Allen was later removed from suicide watch.

The defense has filed a motion to recuse U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche from the case, arguing that they were present at the dinner and could be considered potential victims or witnesses. The Justice Department has been directed to respond to the motion.

Authorities have stated that they recovered a buckshot pellet from the Secret Service officer's bulletproof vest that matched Allen's shotgun. Ballistics testing confirmed the pellet was from Allen's weapon.

Security Response and Review

Following the incident, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the White House is reviewing security protocols for presidential events. Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is scheduled to meet with senior officials from the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service, and White House operations to examine the agency's protective posture and determine if adjustments are needed.

The incident was not designated a National Special Security Event. The hotel remained open to other guests during the dinner, and access to the event required only a ticket without photo identification, according to reports.

President Trump stated that he continued to have trust in the Secret Service and was satisfied with the response to the shooting.

Rescheduled Event

The WHCA announced that the annual press dinner will be rescheduled for July 24 at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C. The event will be a "more intimate gathering" with enhanced safety measures and new access procedures. President Trump has accepted an invitation to speak at the rescheduled event.

Related Incidents

May 5, 2026: A separate incident occurred near the White House, where a man was shot by Secret Service officers after firing at them near the Washington Monument. A juvenile bystander was also wounded. The suspect was hospitalized; the incident is under investigation by the DC Police Department.

May 24, 2026: A man identified as Nasire Best, 21, approached a White House checkpoint and fired shots. Secret Service officers returned fire, fatally wounding Best. A bystander was also injured. Best had prior contacts with law enforcement, including an involuntary commitment for a mental health assessment in June 2025 and a July 2025 arrest for unlawful entry onto White House grounds, where he claimed to be Jesus Christ. A stay-away order had been issued against him.