President Donald Trump reacted angrily when he was asked about White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen’s alleged manifesto, which sharply criticized the Trump administration.
The president attacked CBS News for quoting from the manifesto in an interview with Trump that aired on 60 Minutes on Sunday.
“I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would because you're horrible people,” Trump said.
Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, reportedly sent the anti-Trump manifesto to his family members moments before the shooting, calling himself the “Friendly Federal Assassin.”
Elsewhere in the 60 Minutes interview, the president claimed “hate speech” from the Democrats was “very dangerous” and driving political violence in America.
Investigators are still reconstructing the chaotic moments surrounding the shooting.
Gunshots were fired inside the Washington Hilton shortly after 8:30pm, prompting scenes of panic as Secret Service agents rushed the president and other Cabinet officials out of the ballroom, while others took cover under tables.
The suspect shot and injured one law enforcement officer, before being detained near the hotel screening area, officials said. The officer was treated and released from the hospital on Sunday.
Allen faces impending firearms and assault charges and is set to be arraigned on Monday. He reportedly is not cooperating with authorities.
Key Points
- Cole Allen sent anti-Trump manifesto to family before opening fire
- Trump says suspect is a ‘sick guy’ who ‘hates Christians’
- U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says gunman likely targeted Trump
- Trump details first lady's fears, slams Democrats in first big interview after shooting
- Trump rushed out of White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington after gunman opens fire
- Moment gunman storms past Security Services towards ballroom revealed
- Eyewitness: I recognised the gunshots, saw Trump and something shook me
What to expect as shooting investigation heads into new week
04:10 , Josh MarcusInvestigators are scouring the Washington Hilton hotel and a Southern California home for more details on Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused of firing shots at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday.
Allen, a teacher, allegedly traveled from his home in Torrance, California, to Chicago and then onto Washington by rail, according to officials.
Once in the capital, he used legally purchased firearms in his alleged attack at the dinner.
Allen is not cooperating with officials, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Face the Nation on Sunday.
The 31-year-old suspect is expected to face weapons and assault charges, and could face further allegations in the future.
"There's a lot of federal charges that could be in play beyond those two charges, but it depends on us understanding his motive, his intent, his premeditation of what led into him deciding he was going to do what he did last night," Blanche added.
Allen is set to be arraigned on Monday.
King and Queen reach out to Trump after shooting at White House correspondents’ dinner
04:09 , Namita SinghKing Charles and Queen Camilla have privately reached out to US president Donald Trump and his wife – first lady Melania Trump – to express their sympathies after a shooting at a White House Correspondents’ dinner, a palace source said.
British senior minister Darren Jones said earlier on Sunday that the government would continue to cooperate closely with US security services ahead of Charles' visit and that extensive discussions already under way would continue in the coming days.
"In respect of His Majesty's visit to the United States next week ... our security services obviously remain in close cooperation in advance of that," Jones told Sky News.
King Charles' visit to US to proceed after Washington shooting
03:58 , Namita SinghKing Charles' state visit to the US will go ahead as planned on Monday despite a shooting at a White House dinner attended by president Donald Trump, Buckingham Palace said after discussions with US officials.
Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, are due to arrive on Monday for a four-day state visit, but questions arose after a man opened fire on security personnel near the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday, prompting Secret Service agents to rush Trump from the venue.
"I think it's great; he'll be very safe," Trump said in an interview on CBS News. "The White House grounds are really safe."
Trump also said there was no indication from authorities that there were additional threats to himself or other officials.
US authorities believe the shooting likely targeted the president and administration officials, acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
Blanche also said he was confident Charles would be safe during this week's visit to the US.
The four-day trip – which is to include a private meeting with Trump and an address to Congress marking 250 years since US independence – is intended to reinforce the strained US-British relationship amid differences over the Iran war.
ICYMI: Will Saturday's shooting prompt firings at Secret Service?
03:10 , Josh MarcusNew scrutiny is falling on the shoulders of the Secret Service and its chief, Sean Curran, after Saturday night’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Publicly, members of the administration praised the Secret Service for agents’ quick response on Saturday after a suspected gunman charged the ballroom in the basement of the Washington Hilton, where hundreds of journalists and administration VIPs including the president and vice president were seated for the annual event. No persons inside the ballroom were injured, and the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, was tackled before getting inside.
In private, however, Real Clear Politics reports that seasoned security officials are raising alarms over the Secret Service and the agency’s ability to protect the president. Numerous sources familiar with presidential security protocols bashed Saturday night’s security apparatus at the Hilton in comments to the publication, echoing some criticism leveled by attendees and politicians on social media after the event.
The report also claimed that White House chief of staff Susie Wiles plans to blame the president’s sons, who reportedly pushed for Curran’s appointment, if the president decides to fire him. Wiles, as Trump’s top aide, oversees the Secret Service and also faced some criticism for allowing Curran to remain in his job this long.
Curran took over the agency last year, just months after the president was nearly assassinated in Butler, Pennsylvania during a campaign event.
John Bowden reports.
Top Trump figures at odds over future of Secret Service chief, report claims
What we've learned from shooting suspect's family
02:10 , Josh MarcusFamily members reportedly raised red flags about the man accused of carrying out Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Prior to the shooting, suspect Cole Tomas Allen allegedly sent a manifesto to his family, reportedly prompting Allen’s brother to get in touch with the New London, Connecticut, police department.
Separately, after the shooting, Allen’s sister reportedly spoke with the Secret Service and Washington-area police.
She told them her brother had a tendency to make radical claims and had spoken of a desire to do “something” to fix present-day issues, a senior administration official told NBC News.
Allen had two handguns and a shotgun at home in Torrance, California, that he hid from his parents, she reportedly said.
Hakeem Jeffries fires back at those attacking Democrats after shooting
01:40 , Josh MarcusHouse Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had a sharp response on Sunday for those linking Democrats to Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“America will not be lectured about civility by far right extremists in Congress,” the New York congressman wrote on X. “Particularly those who provide aid and comfort to hundreds of violent rioters who brutally beat police officers on January 6. There will be ample time to vigorously debate the issues of the day. Now is a time to unify.”
As The Independent has previously reported, recent acts of political violence have been carried out by individuals tied to left- and right-wing ideologies alike.
Why political violence has spiked in the Trump era and what can be done to stop it
Trump details first lady's fears, slams Democrats in first big interview after shooting
01:09 , Josh MarcusPresident Trump is sharing more of his thoughts and recollections about lasts night’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
The president described the first lady’s fear after gunshots were heard, which some attendees initially thought was a tray being dropped.
“I think she realized ahead of time that that was more of a bullet than it was a tray,” Trump told 60 Minutes in an interview that aired on Sunday. “She looked very upset about what just took place.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Trump said political violence was a fixture of life, but singled out rhetoric from Democrats as especially dangerous.
“It’s always been there. People are assassinated. People are injured,” Trump told anchor Norah O’Donnell. “People are hurt. I’m not sure that there’s any more now than there was. I do think that the hate speech of the Democrats, much more so, is very dangerous. I really think it’s very dangerous for the country.”
The president lashed out at O’Donnell when she read from a portion of alleged shooter Cole Tomas Allen’s manifesto, which stated, “I'm no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.”
The president called CBS News “horrible people” for asking a question about the manifesto.
“I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would because you're horrible people,” Trump said. “Yeah he did write that. I'm not a rapist. I didn't rape anybody. I'm not a pedophile.”
“You read that crap from some sick person,” the president continued. “I got associated with stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated. Your friends on the other side of the plate are the ones that were involved with let’s say Epstein or other things.”
Conspiracy theories flourish after Correspondents' Dinner shooting
Monday 27 April 2026 00:33 , Josh MarcusAs has become routine after major news events, conspiracy theories spread rapidly online in the wake of the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
As WIRED notes, numerous users on the left-leaning Bluesky social network simply posted the word “STAGED” after the shooting.
Others on X, which tends to lean more rightward, claimed the shooting was a false flag operation meant to drum up support for President Trump’s White House ballroom project.
Right-wing content creator Matt Walsh seemed to mock these individuals in an X post of his own.
“So in summary we have a plot where all parties involved are working against their own interests with no real discernible benefit to any of them,” he wrote. “There is no evidence of this plan and it doesn’t even make any intuitive sense and the motives for everyone are unclear if not insane, but still I believe it because I’m a very smart person.”
'I'm pretty shaken up': Caltech classmates shocked Cole Allen accused of WHCD shooting
Monday 27 April 2026 00:08 , Josh MarcusPeople who knew Correspondents’ Dinner shooting suspect Cole Allen at his alma matter Caltech are shocked their former classmate is accused of attempting to attack the president.
“I’m pretty shaken up,” Sheila Murthy told The Wall Street Journal.
She described Allen as “somewhat reserved, quiet, and introverted to say the least,” during their time at Caltech, one of the nation’s premier science and engineering universities.
Adrian Costantino, who graduated with Allen, painted a similar picture.
“We were all a little weird, a little nerdy but he was even more nerdy,” he told the Journal. “But he was always nice and kind to people. When I heard about him being involved in this, I was like, holy s***, this is not what I would expect of him.”
Shooting suspect almost reached ballroom where president sat
Sunday 26 April 2026 23:48 , Josh Marcus
White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen sprinted through a security checkpoint and nearly made it into the ballroom where the president, top cabinet figures, and large swathes of the Washington press corps were located, according to security footage and bystanders.
“His face was determined,” attendee Erin Thielman told The Washington Post. “Eyes wide open, mouth in line with determination. He was zeroed in and focused. I can’t get his face out of my mind.”
Allen nearly made it to a staircase leading into the ballroom, according to an analysis by the paper, but he was apprehended by security officers.
Late Saturday, President Trump shared blurry security video footage that allegedly showed Allen running past the checkpoint and agents drawing their guns.
'Deeply troubling': Local reaction as California man accused of Correspondents' Dinner shooting
Sunday 26 April 2026 23:31 , Josh Marcus
Local leaders in Torrance, California, the home of White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen, are reacting with shock and dismay.
“The City of Torrance stands firmly against political violence, extremism, and acts of hatred in any form,” Mayor George K. Chen said in a statement late Saturday. “We reject attempts to sow fear or division, whether here at home or anywhere in our country.”
Dylan Wakayama, president of the Asian American Civic Trust, told The Los Angeles Times that Allen tutored students associated with the organization.
“They thought he was very intelligent, proficient in biology, mathematics and science,” he said. “They thought he was on the nicer, quiet side. They were completely shocked when I told them that this all went down.”
“I think all of us in Torrance would be shocked if this is the man who attempted to kill the president of the United States,” he added.
Catch up on the latest on White House Correspondents’ Dinner attack
Sunday 26 April 2026 23:00 , Andrea CavallierA man is in custody following last night's White House Correspondents’ Dinner attack. But what was the motive? As investigators continue their probe, here’s what we know so far:
- President Trump will be on CBS’s 60 Minutes tonight to discuss the latest on the attack.
- The suspected gunman has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old teacher from Torrance, California. FBI agents are going door to door in his neighborhood.
- In writings sent to family members prior to the attack, the suspect described himself as “Friendly Federal Assassin”
- A manifesto found in his hotel allegedly revealed that he planned to target Trump administration officials, “prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest”
- Trump said Allen was “a very troubled guy” who “hates Christians”
- Allen purchased a .38-caliber semi-automatic pistol from a store in southern California on October 6, 2023. On August 17, 2025, Allen bought a 12-gauge shotgun from another gun store in his hometown. The guns were purchased legally.
- Investigators determined that the suspect took a train from Los Angeles to Chicago, and then from Chicago to Washington, where he had a hotel room at the site of the shooting.
- The Secret Service officer who was struck by a round was wearing a bulletproof vest and has been released from the hospital.
- President Trump said the shooting proves why the construction of a $400 million White House ballroom is crucial for national security, claiming it could prevent future incidents.
- The suspect will face federal firearm and assault charges and is expected to be arraigned in federal court on Monday.
- Buckingham Palace has confirmed King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit to the US will go ahead as planned. They arrive on Monday.
- White House Correspondents’ Association president Weijia Jiang said the organization’s board will be meeting to assess the incident and will “determine how to proceed.”
President Trump recalls the moment he was rushed away after shots rang out
Sunday 26 April 2026 22:50 , Andrea CavallierIn a preview clip from President Trump’s interview on tonight’s 60 Minutes, he admits that he “wasn’t making it that easy” for the Secret Service when shots rang out at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner because he wanted to see what was going on.
“I wanted to see what was happening,” Trump said when the Secret Service rushed in after shots rang out.
“And I wasn’t making it that easy for them. I wanted to see what was going on. And by that time we started to realize maybe it was a bad problem.”
President Trump said he “wasn’t making it that easy” for the Secret Service as it responded when shots rang out at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, because he wanted to see what was going on. @NorahODonnell's interview with the President, tonight on 60 Minutes. pic.twitter.com/Us7RqmMqg2
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) April 26, 2026
MAGA lawmaker introducing legislation to pave way for Trump’s ballroom
Sunday 26 April 2026 22:41 , Andrea CavallierRepublican lawmakers plan to turn President Trump’s call to create his ballroom after the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday evening into legislation.
Sen. Tim Sheehy, a freshman from Montana, said that this week, he will request unanimous consent for legislation to express support for the creation of the ballroom in the East Wing of the White House.
“It is an embarrassment to the strongest nation on earth that we cannot host gatherings in our nation’s capital, including ones attended by our President, without the threat of violence and attempted assassinations,” Sheehy said.
The president has made the construction of the $400m structure at the White House a top priority, despite the fact many Americans disapprove of its construction. Polling last year showed Americans were unhappy about the demolition of the East Wing of the White House for its construction.
But since the shooting on Saturday evening, when a gunman opened fire at the Washington Hilton where the dinner was hosted, Trump and his administration have made the case that the ballroom is a national security priority.
Eric Garcia reports:
MAGA lawmaker introducing legislation to pave way for Trump’s ballroom
Former president Barack Obama posts about shooting
Sunday 26 April 2026 22:40 , Andrea Cavallier“Although we don’t yet have the details about the motives behind last night's shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, it’s incumbent upon all us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy. It’s also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice that U.S. Secret Service Agents show every day. I’m grateful to them – and thankful that the agent who was shot is going to be okay.”
Although we don’t yet have the details about the motives behind last night's shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, it’s incumbent upon all us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy. It’s also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 26, 2026
Kari Lake recalls confronting Jake Tapper as they were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Dinner
Sunday 26 April 2026 22:30 , Andrea CavallierMAGA ally Kari Lake is playing the blame game after she was rushed out of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner alongside other attendees when a gunman opened fire at the event.
Lake, the senior advisor to the United States Agency for Global Media, says she did not waste a minute in confronting CNN anchor Jake Tapper for “spreading lies” about President Donald Trump in the middle of their evacuation Saturday night from the Washington Hilton.
“I walked out right next to Jake Tapper and looked him in the eye,” Lake, 56, said on Newsmax hours after the shooting. “And I said, ‘How dare you? You have caused so much division in this country pushing lies. We’re not going to call it gaslighting anymore — you’ve lied to the people. How dare you do that?”
DOJ urges group to drop White House ballroom lawsuit
Sunday 26 April 2026 22:04 , Andrea CavallierIn a letter shared by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche Sunday on X, the Justice Department is asking the National Trust for Historic Preservation to drop its lawsuit seeking to stop the president from building a White House ballroom.
The letter claims last night’s shooting shows that the proposed ballroom is needed “for the safety and security of the President.”
“Put simply, your lawsuit puts the lives of the President, his family, and his staff at grave risk,” the department’s civil division head, Brett Shumate, wrote.
“I hope yesterday’s narrow miss will help you finally realize the folly of a lawsuit that literally serves no purpose except to stop President Trump no matter the cost.”
It’s time to build the ballroom. pic.twitter.com/cUMkVpehGY
— Acting AG Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) April 26, 2026
The history of violence against President Donald Trump
Sunday 26 April 2026 21:30 , Andrea CavallierPresident Trump is no stranger to attacks on his life. On Saturday night, he once again was forced to duck for cover and then quickly rushed out of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner as shots rang out.
Coincidentally, the shooting took place at the hotel where, on March 30, 1981, John Hinckley Jr. shot Ronald Reagan.
But Saturday night’s incident was not the first time there had been an attempt on Trump’s life.
Most notably, as he campaigned for re-election, someone shot the then-former president, an event which galvanized his base.
The president and his allies are now using the incident to make the case for Trump’s proposed ballroom in the White House.
But the shooting reveals that the president has faced unique threats regardless of where he goes.
Eric Garcia provides a breakdown each of the assassination attempts on the president:
Who is suspected shooter Cole Allen?
Sunday 26 April 2026 21:01 , Andrea CavallierWhile the motive remains a question, the suspected shooter has been identified as 31-year-old California man Cole Tomas Allen.
Allen, a 2017 graduate of California Institute of Technology, was working as a teacher at the time of his arrest while also developing computer games. In 2019, he registered the domain name “Bohrdom” for a game he created and released on Steam. It is described as a “skill-based, non-violent asymmetrical fighting game loosely derived from a chemistry model that is itself loosely based on reality.”
In 2025, he attained a master's degree in computer science from California State University at Dominguez Hills in 2025.
While a student at Caltech, Allen was a member of the school’s Christian fellowship and the Nerf club. He was featured in a 2017 photo that was posted by the school on Facebook following his graduation. In that photo, he’s holding a picture of himself as a child with a stuffed rabbit.
In December 2024, a Facebook post from private tutoring service C2 Education named Allen as “Teacher of the Month.”
On his LinkedIn page, Allen described himself as a “mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, teacher by birth.” He lists his ”Causes” on that profile as ”Science and Technology.”
Allen contributed $25 to a Democratic Party political action committee in support of Kamala Harris for president in 2024, according to federal campaign finance records.
A yard sign displayed at the family home supported a local candidate for judge who was endorsed by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.
Employer of suspected gunman says it is cooperating with authorities
Sunday 26 April 2026 20:42 , Andrea CavallierSuspected gunman Cole Allen worked as a teacher with C2 Education's center in Torrance, California.
C2 Education, a tutoring company, said in a statement that it is cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate the attack.
“We were shocked to hear the news of the horrifying incident that transpired at the White House Correspondents' Dinner,” they said in a statement, according to CBS News.
”We are cooperating fully with law enforcement to assist them in their investigation. Violence of any kind is never the answer.”
Allen was reportedly awarded “Teacher of the Month” in December 2024, according to a Facebook post, which has since been removed.
Top Trump figures at odds over future of Secret Service chief amid claims of lax security at dinner, report claims
Sunday 26 April 2026 20:16 , Andrea CavallierNew scrutiny is falling on the shoulders of the Secret Service and its chief, Sean Curran, after Saturday night’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Publicly, members of the administration praised the Secret Service for agents’ quick response on Saturday after a suspected gunman charged the ballroom in the basement of the Washington Hilton, where hundreds of journalists and administration VIPs including the president and vice president were seated for the annual event.
No persons inside the ballroom were injured, and the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, was tackled before getting inside.
In private, however, Real Clear Politics reports that seasoned security officials are raising alarms over the Secret Service and the agency’s ability to protect the president.
Numerous sources familiar with presidential security protocols bashed Saturday night’s security apparatus at the Hilton in comments to the publication, echoing some criticism leveled by attendees and politicians on social media after the event.
John Bowden reports:
Top Trump figures at odds over future of Secret Service chief, report claims
‘Are we about to die?’: What Oz the Mentalist saw as he and Trump locked eyes on the ballroom floor
Sunday 26 April 2026 19:46 , Andrea CavallierFor a brief moment, after the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner sent the room into chaos, President Trump and the evening’s featured entertainer, mentalist Oz Pearlman, crouched down feet away from each other and shared a glance.
“I’ll never forget the image for my whole life,” Pearlman told CNN.
“We just look at each other for about two seconds, and my mind, obviously, this is like a huge adrenaline [rush], is just like, ‘Oh no, are we about to die?’” he remembers thinking.
Josh Marcus reports:
‘Are we about to die?’: What Oz the Mentalist saw as he and Trump hid from attack
Buckingham Palace confirms King’s US visit is on
Sunday 26 April 2026 19:40 , Andrea CavallierBuckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles’ US visit will go on as planned, despite the incident at last night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting on advice of Government, we can confirm the state visit by their majesties will proceed as planned,” a palace spokesperson said.
“The king and queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting underway tomorrow.”
The decision comes several hours after security discussions were taking place earlier Sunday.
Trump to appear on ‘60 Minutes’ tonight
Sunday 26 April 2026 19:20 , Andrea CavallierPresident Trump will appear on CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” according to White House communications director Steven Cheung, who posted on X.
“President Trump sits down with 60 Minutes to discuss what happened at the White House Correspondents Association dinner last night,” he wrote.
President Trump sits down with 60 Minutes to discuss what happened at the White House Correspondents Association dinner last night. pic.twitter.com/rIq4CxPIHS
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) April 26, 2026
Where is the suspected gunman now?
Sunday 26 April 2026 19:10 , Andrea CavallierCole Allen, the suspect gunman, is being held at a Metropolitan Police Department station in Northwest Washington, D.C., law enforcement sources told CBS News.
Allen is expected to be transferred later today to a detention facility in Southeast D.C.
He will then be transported by the U.S. Marshals Service to federal court Monday where he is set to be arraigned, according to Justice Department officials.
Trump targeted by ‘sick’ shooter who called himself the ‘Friendly Federal Assassin’
Sunday 26 April 2026 18:50 , Andrea CavallierTrump escaped his third suspected assassination attempt unhurt after a gunman calling himself the “Friendly Federal Assassin” opened fire during the prestigious White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
The US President and members of his administration are believed to have been the targets of Saturday night’s attack, Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
The suspect, teacher and California Institute of Technology graduate Cole Tomas Allen, 31, stormed security in the lobby of the Washington Hilton armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives.
In a manifesto sent to family minutes earlier, Allen allegedly revealed he was trying to kill Trump administration officials, a US official told the New York Post.
Trump said Allen was “a very troubled guy” who “hates Christians” after details of the manifesto emerged. But he insisted the shooting would not impact King Charles’ state visit, which will go ahead, saying: “He’s a great guy, and we look forward to it. He’s really a fantastic person and a tremendous representative, and he’s brave.
Read full story:
Trump targeted by ‘sick’ shooter who called himself the ‘Friendly Federal Assassin’
Alleged shooter planned to target Trump administration officials ‘prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest,’ he wrote in manifesto
Sunday 26 April 2026 18:40 , Andrea CavallierThe suspect who opened fire at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night before he was tackled by security wrote in a manifesto that he planned to target Trump administration officials, “prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest,” according to law enforcement and White House officials.
He also planned to target authorities “only if necessary.”
Guests of the hotel and employees were not his intended targets but that he would still attack them to get to the administration: “I really hope it doesn't come to that,” he wrote.
Trump calls ‘third rate’ ABC News anchor morning after correspondents’ dinner shooting with two things on his mind
Sunday 26 April 2026 18:30 , Andrea CavallierABC’s Jonathan Karl detailed a phone call from President Donald Trump on Sunday morning — just hours after the shocking White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting — and said that the president, who’d once derided him as a “third-rate” journalist, had called to check if he was OK.
Karl, a White House correspondent and former president of the White House Correspondent’s Association, described the conversation with the president on ABC’s This Week to host George Stephanopoulos. Saturday evening’s annual dinner at the Washington Hilton was disrupted by gunshots when officials say suspect Cole Allen charged through a security perimeter armed with multiple weapons.
“My phone rang shortly after 7am, my landline, George, actually a number that few people call, and it was President Trump calling ... At first he was calling to see if I was OK, with what happened last night; ‘Are you OK?’” Karl recalled Trump asking.
Eric Garcia reports:
Trump calls ‘third rate’ ABC News anchor morning after correspondents’ shooting
Republican lawmaker calls on Congress to end DHS shutdown
Sunday 26 April 2026 18:15 , Andrea CavallierRepublican Rep. Michael McCaul is calling on Congress to end the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
He told CNN that last night’s shooting shows why the House needs to move to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
“This highlights the urgency,” McCaul said, adding that officials should reconsider whether members of the presidential line of succession should all be in attendance at an event like this.
White House Correspondents' Association releases statement on shooting
Sunday 26 April 2026 18:00 , Andrea CavallierWeijia Jiang, President of the White House Correspondents' Association, released a statement on Sunday following Saturday night’s incident.
“Last night's shooting at the Washington Hilton was a harrowing moment for everyone in attendance.
We express our deepest gratitude to the U.S. Secret Service and all law enforcement personnel who ensured the safety of everyone in the ballroom and beyond. Their actions protected thousands of guests, and we wish a full and speedy recovery to the officer who was injured in the line of duty. We are grateful everyone in attendance was unharmed, including the President, the First Lady, and the Vice President.
Our dinner exists to celebrate the First Amendment and the hard daily work of the journalists who defend it. Last night, those journalists showed exactly the kind of calm and courage that work demands, jumping into reporting immediately after the incident unfolded. We are proud of everyone in that room.
The WHCA board will be meeting to assess what happened and determine how to proceed. We will provide updates as soon as any are available.”
King Charles issues statement to Trump on shooting ahead of visit to White House tomorrow
Sunday 26 April 2026 17:50 , Andrea CavallierTrump says King Charles’ visit is still happening
Sunday 26 April 2026 17:35 , Andrea CavallierPresident Trump said King Charles’ visit to DC is still happening despite the last night’s shooting.
“First of all, King Charles is coming, and he’s a great guy. We look forward to it. He’s really a fantastic person. And a tremendous representative. And he’s brave,” Trump said in a phone call interview with Fox News on Sunday morning.
“He’s got a problem with, as you know, very well documented problem with his health, and he’s been amazing. Actually, he’s very brave actually,” Trump said, apparently referring to the King’s fight with cancer.
“And he’s a friend of mine for a long time. So, he’s coming, and we’re going to have a great time. And he represents his nation like nobody else can do it,” he added.
Cole Allen sent anti-Trump manifesto to family before opening fire
Sunday 26 April 2026 17:15 , Andrea CavallierCole Allen, the suspected shooter at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, reportedly sent a manifesto critical of Trump to his family before he allegedly opened fire at the Washington Hilton, The New York Post reports.
“Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed,” he wrote.
Allen would proceed to list out some of the actions from the Trump administration that allegedly drove him to open fire.
“I’m not the person raped in a detention camp. I’m not the fisherman executed without trial,” he wrote.
“I’m not a schoolkid blown up, or a child starved, or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor’s crimes.”
“I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” he wrote in reference to the president.
Allen also laid out how he planned to stage his attack.
Read full story:
White House Correspondents’ Dinner suspect sent anti-Trump manifesto to family
Trump wanted dinner to continue but admitted that it was the ‘right thing’ to leave hotel
Sunday 26 April 2026 16:54 , Andrea CavallierPresident Trump said he wanted to continue with the White House Correspondents’ Dinner following the shooting but admitted in his Sunday interview with Fox News that it was the “right thing” to leave.
“I really wanted to do it that night, even if we stayed late into the night, but we did the right thing, and we came back to the White House, we did a news conference and explained what happened.”
“I really wanted to, but the protocol was no and, you know, once those doors were open, that room was sealed,” he added.
“We can’t let these criminals and these really bad people change the course of events in our country,” Trump said.
“I was going to really rip it last night,” Trump added.
“But I didn’t get a chance to do that. Probably, I was better off if I didn’t.”
Trump says suspect is a ‘sick guy’ who ‘hates Christians’
Sunday 26 April 2026 16:33 , Andrea CavallierIn an interview with Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich on Sunday, Trump revealed new details about the suspected gunman and the manifesto found in his hotel room.
He said the suspect - Cole Allen - is “a sick guy” and “a very troubled guy” who “hates Christians.”
“When you read his manifesto, he hates Christians, that’s one thing for sure. He hates Christians, a hatred, and I think his sister, or his brother, actually was complaining about it. You know, they were even complaining to law enforcement. So he was, he was a very troubled guy,” the president said.
Allen sent an anti-Trump manifesto to his family members before the shooting, calling himself the “Friendly Federal Assassin” and revealing he was trying to kill Trump administration officials, a US official told the New York Post.
“Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I’m not the person raped in a detention camp. I’m not the fisherman executed without trial,” Allen wrote in the document.
“I’m not a schoolkid blown up or a child starved or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor’s crimes.”
“I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” Allen wrote.
“In order to minimize casualties I will also be using buckshot rather than slugs (less penetration through walls). I would still go through most everyone here to get to the targets if it were absolutely necessary (on the basis that most people *chose* to attend a speech by a pedophile, rapist, and traitor, and are thus complicit) but I really hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Trump calls shooting a ‘very sad evening in many ways’ but also one where ‘many people got together’
Sunday 26 April 2026 16:26 , Andrea Cavallier“She’s doing great. I’m fine. And it was a very sad evening in many ways. And it was also an evening where a lot of people got together,” Trump told Fox News on Sunday in a phone interview about how he and First Lady Melania Trump are doing fine after last night’s shooting.
“The place was just coming together,” Trump said. “Was very nice to see, actually.”
Suspect’s manifesto found in hotel room stated he wanted to target Trump administration
Sunday 26 April 2026 16:16 , Andrea CavallierThe suspect’s written manifesto that was found in his hotel room at the Hilton clearly stated he wanted to target administration officials, Jacqui Heinrich reported, citing the White House.
Cole Allen is in custody following last night’s shooting. He had a ton of anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric on his social media accounts.
Allen’s brother notified New London PD of an alleged manifesto Allen had sent to the family before the incident.
In an interview with Allen’s sister, Avriana Allen, it was confirmed that he purchased two handguns and a shotgun from Cap Tactical Firearms and kept them stored at their parent’s home. Their were unaware that he was keeping the firearms in the home, they said.
She also revealed that her brother had a tendency to make radical statements and his rhetoric constantly referenced a plan to do “something” to fix the issues with today’s world.
Allen had attended a ‘No Kings’ protest in California at some point and would regularly go to the shooting range to train with his firearms, his sister said.
Sen. Fetterman calls for construction of White House ballroom after shooting
Sunday 26 April 2026 15:41 , Andrea CavallierDemocratic Sen. John Fetterman has joined calls from Trump and Republicans on the need for construction of the White House ballroom.
“We were there front and center,” Fetterman wrote on X.
“That venue wasn’t built to accommodate an event with the line of succession for the US government. After witnessing last night, drop the TDS and build the White House ballroom for events exactly like these.”
We were there front and center.
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) April 26, 2026
That venue wasn’t built to accommodate an event with the line of succession for the U.S. government.
After witnessing last night, drop the TDS and build the White House ballroom for events exactly like these. pic.twitter.com/eeUBnlSe5y
King still expected to travel to DC despite attack
Sunday 26 April 2026 15:20 , Andrea CavallierChristian Turner, the UK ambassador to the US, has told CBS News that King Charles is still expected to travel to the US, despite last night’s attack.
The King will arrive at the White House on Monday. He will be honored at a banquet dinner the following night.
“His Majesty is being kept fully informed of developments and is greatly relieved to hear that the President, First Lady and all guests have been unharmed,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement earlier Sunday.
The statement continued that a "number of discussions will be taking place throughout the day to discuss with U.S. colleagues and our respective teams to what degree the events of Saturday evening may or may not impact on the operational planning for the Visit!"
‘Oh my god, it’s about to explode’: Mentalist performing trick for Trump describes chaos after shots were fired
Sunday 26 April 2026 15:11 , Andrea CavallierOz Pearlman, a mentalist who was performing a trick for Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, recalled the chaotic moments that followed.
“I didn’t hear any shots or see what looked like a shooter. I thought there was about to be a bomb,” Pearlman told CNN. “I really very much thought, ‘oh my god, it’s about to explode,’ because of the way that it was being approached. It wasn’t like, guns out. It was like to stop someone.”
When he dropped to the ground, he found himself facing the president. He wondered if they were about to die.
“I’ll never forget the image for my whole life,” Pearlman said.
Security at White House Correspondents’ Dinner was ‘woefully insufficient,’ Rep. Mike Lawler says
Sunday 26 April 2026 14:47 , Andrea Cavallier“Having attended a lot of events - and certainly having attended events with the president and cabinet - (security was) woefully insufficient when you’re talking about that many people getting into a room of that size,” Rep. Mike Lawler told CNN’s Manu Raju Sunday.
He added that the suspect “shouldn’t have been anywhere in that vicinity to begin with. And so from my vantage point, you know, that’s something that needs to be addressed.”
Lawler called for the full funding of the Department of Homeland Security to be reinstated after it was shut down earlier this year.
PM Starmer spoke to Trump, expressed relief that he was safe
Sunday 26 April 2026 14:40 , Andrea CavallierBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to Trump on Sunday and expressed relief that the President and the First Lady were safe following a shooting at the White House Correspondents' dinner, a Downing Street spokesperson said, according to Reuters.
"He (Starmer) extended his best wishes to the President and First Lady following the shocking scenes at last night's White House Correspondents Dinner," the spokesperson said, adding that the prime minister also ”wished a speedy recovery to the officer injured.”
Trump argues shooting ‘would never have happened’ in ballroom he intends to build
Sunday 26 April 2026 14:34 , Andrea CavallierPresident Trump posted to Truth Social Sunday morning arguing that the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner “would never have happened” at the ballroom he intends to build at the White House.
What happened last night is exactly the reason that our great Military, Secret Service, Law Enforcement and, for different reasons, every President for the last 150 years, have been DEMANDING that a large, safe, and secure Ballroom be built ON THE GROUNDS OF 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! 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. The ridiculous Ballroom lawsuit, brought by a woman walking her dog, who has absolutely No Standing to bring such a suit, must be dropped, immediately. Nothing should be allowed to interfere with with its construction, which is on budget and substantially ahead of schedule!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP
Suspect not actively cooperating with authorities, Blanche says
Sunday 26 April 2026 14:29 , Andrea CavallierThe suspected gunman is not necessarily cooperating, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told CNN’s “State of the Union” with Dana Bash on Sunday.
“I expect he’ll be charged tomorrow morning in federal court with two counts in a complaint. We are not viewing him as cooperating necessarily right now,” Blanche said, adding that there could be more charges against the suspect as law enforcement works to better understand the man’s motive.
He added that law enforcement had spoken to people who knew the suspect and that a number of search warrants were executed overnight, including on electronic devices.
How White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting unfolded
Sunday 26 April 2026 14:15 , Andrea CavallierAttendees of this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner said they heard several gunshots ring out shortly after the appetizers were served at around 8:35pm local time.
President Trump was expected to give a speech shortly after an awards segment following the meal.
Reporters from The Independent, who were seated at a table in the back of the hall, said they heard approximately five gunshots before watching agents draw their firearms. Guests took cover underneath tables once they realized what was happening.
Secret Service swarmed the banquet hall, yelling at the president to get out of the way and demanding that people duck.
Here is how the dramatic events unfolded:
How White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting unfolded
Officer injured in shooting released from hospital
Sunday 26 April 2026 14:09 , Andrea CavallierThe officer who sustained injuries in Saturday’s attack has been released from hospital, US Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi confirmed to BBC.
“I can confirm the officer has been discharged, and the ballistic vest helped us avoid a potential tragedy last night,” he said in the statement.
“The defendant is now before a federal court, and comments at this stage will come from the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.”
He added that the agency is conducting a “comprehensive review of the defendant’s background and networks to better understand his motivations, leaving no detail unexamined.”
Motive still under investigation, AG says
Sunday 26 April 2026 13:54 , Andrea CavallierBlanche says the motive of the attacker is still under investigation.
"We're still investigating a motive, and that's something that will necessarily take a couple of days at least," he told moderator Kristen Welker.
"We believe he was targeting administration officials in this attack, attempted attack, but that's again, quite preliminary."
U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says gunman likely targeted Trump
Sunday 26 April 2026 13:32 , Andrea CavallierU.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the gunman taken into custody in connection with the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner likely targeted President Trump and his administration.
"It does appear that he, he did, in fact, have set out to target folks that work in the administration, likely including the President," Blanche said in an interview on NBC News' "Meet the Press."
He also said that authorities believe the gunman took a train from Los Angeles to Chicago to Washington, DC, before he checked into the Washington Hilton.
Everything we know about alleged gunman
Sunday 26 April 2026 13:22 , Amy-Clare MartinMultiple sources identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, on the outskirts of Los Angeles, close to Santa Monica.
Allen, a 2017 graduate of California Institute of Technology, was working as a teacher at the time of his arrest while also developing computer games.
Mike Bedigan reports:
What we know about suspected White House Correspondents’ Dinner gunman
In pictures: Heavy police deployment in California
Sunday 26 April 2026 13:10 , Shweta SharmaThe latest pictures show the FBI and police deployed in the Torrance neighbourhood of California.
The shooting suspect was identified as a 31-year-old Cole Allen from California.
He was taken to the hospital after the shooting and was charged with two federal counts, including use of a firearm during a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said.
EU's von der Leyen spoke with Trump to express solidarity after shooting
Sunday 26 April 2026 13:00 , Amy-Clare MartinEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday that she spoke with US President Donald Trump to express solidarity following the shooting.
The president was rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday after a man opened fire on security personnel nearby.
"We underlined that political violence has no place in our democracies," von der Leyen wrote in a post on social media platform X.
Buckingham Palace in ‘discussions’ with US over whether shooting will impact state visit
Sunday 26 April 2026 12:49 , Amy-Clare MartinFollowing the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “His Majesty is being kept fully informed of developments and is greatly relieved to hear that the President, First Lady and all guests have been unharmed.”
King Charles is understood to have reached out to the president privately to express his sympathies. The incident comes a day before he is due to embark on a four-day US state visit with Queen Camilla.
The spokesperson added: “As you would expect, a number of discussions will be taking place throughout the day to discuss with US colleagues and our respective teams to what degree the events of Saturday evening may or may not impact on the operational planning for the Visit.”
Timeline: How events unfolded
Sunday 26 April 2026 12:45 , Amy-Clare Martin- 8.35pm (1.35am UK time): The gunman had charged through a security checkpoint in the hotel lobby armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives. A round was fired at secret service agent, who was saved by his bullet proof vest before the shooter was apprehended
- The gunshots sent guests diving for cover under tables in the hotel’s ball room. Armed officers stormed the stage where President Trump and the First Lady were sitting before they were bundled to safety
- 9.17pm (2.17am UK time): President Trump posted on Truth Social confirming the suspected shooter had been captured. He also shared CCTV footage of him running through the lobby
- 10.30pm (3.20am UK time): The president addressed reporters at a late night news conference at the White House, telling them the suspect was a "lone wolf whack job"
- The suspect was charged around 11.13pm (4.13am UK time) with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, said he would appear in court on Monday but added "there will be many more charges"
Magician was performing for Trump when chaos erupted
Sunday 26 April 2026 12:30 , Amy-Clare MartinA magician has said he was “in the middle of performing for the President and First Lady” when the shooting attempt took place.
Oz Pearlman, a mentalist who was a finalist on America’s Got talent, posted to his 8million Instagram about the ordeal, which he described as the “scariest moment of my life”.
“Was in the middle of performing for the President and First Lady when I looked up to see a commotion, thought it was a bomb about to go off or shots fired,” he wrote.
“We hit the deck fast and Secret strive acted decisively and professionally to protect us all.
“We laid on the ground, I was a couple feet away from the President Trump, eyes locked with one another. It was likely the scariest moment of my life and I will never forget it. So happy everyone is OK.”
Recap: Previous assassination attempts against Donald Trump
Sunday 26 April 2026 12:20 , Amy-Clare MartinPresident Trump stayed backstage for about an hour after being hustled from the stage at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a source told Reuters. The motive for the shooting is not yet clear.
The president later said he had not wanted to leave the event, a remark that echoed images of him defiantly pumping his fist after narrowly escaping an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024.
In that attempt, Trump was shot and wounded in his upper ear by a 20-year-old gunman, who was shot dead by security personnel.
Just over two months after the Butler shooting, secret service agents spotted a man wielding a gun and hiding in bushes at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, while the president was on the course. It was deemed an assassination attempt and the suspect was sentenced to life in prison in February.
UK's shadow home secretary says shooting as an 'attack on democracy'
Sunday 26 April 2026 12:07 , Amy-Clare MartinBritain’s shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the attempted shooting at a dinner attended by US President Donald Trump is “an attack on democracy”.
Mr Philp told Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme: “It’s always shocking when a democratically elected politician gets attacked in this way – it’s an attack not just on an individual, but an attack on democracy.
“I’m pleased, of course, that Donald Trump is unharmed and that the perpetrator has been apprehended.”
Sobbing Erika Kirk ushered out of hotel after shooting
Sunday 26 April 2026 11:57 , Amy-Clare MartinA sobbing Erika Kirk was seen being ushered out of the Washington Hilton in the wake of the shooting that rocked the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday.
CNN’s Sara Sidner posted a clip of Erika hurriedly walking from the ballroom, choking up and saying: “I just want to go home.”
This shooting comes just over six months after her husband, Charlie Kirk, was shot dead while speaking at a Turning Point USA event in Utah. Shortly after his death, Erika stepped in as the CEO of the right-wing activist group.
Paul Farrell reports:
Erika Kirk hid under table after gunfire erupted at WHCA Dinner
There are security problems with event, warns former US ambassador
Sunday 26 April 2026 11:40 , Amy-Clare MartinA former US ambassador has said there are “certainly security problems” at the prestigious annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner following the shooting.
Kim Darroch, who served as Britain’s ambassador to the US between 2016 and 2019, said there is only one security check for would-be attackers to breach in order to reach the ballroom at the Washington Hilton where the President and other senior politicians are seated.
He told the BBC’s Laura Kuennsberg all you have to do is "show your invitation card... to get into the building". There is then a security checkpoint outside the ballroom with a metal detector and bag check, he added, and the hotel is also full of guests who are not attending the event.
He added: “So if you were there and you had bad intentions about breaking into this dinner, there's just one security thing you have to get past, which you saw in that film, where the gunman runs past it, the bag check, and then you're in the ballroom. So there are certainly security problems there.”
What has Trump said about the shooting?
Sunday 26 April 2026 11:30 , Amy-Clare MartinIn a late night White House press conference after the shooting, President Trump - still wearing his tuxedo from the dinner - vowed to reschedule the prestigious event.
Speaking of the suspect, he added: “My impression is he was a lone wolf whack job. These are crazy people.”
The president praised the secret service and said the gunman was not close to breaching the ballroom where he sat on stage at the time of the incident, adding the attack had “unified” political opponents and the media.
He added: “I saw a room that was just totally unified. It was, in one way, very beautiful, a very beautiful thing.
“To see a man charge a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of secret service, and they acted very quickly.”
He added: “It is always shocking when something like this happens.”
Security for King Charles during US state visit being taken 'very seriously'
Sunday 26 April 2026 11:12 , Amy-Clare MartinKing Charles’ security during his US state visit this week is being taken “very seriously” after a gunman tried to charge a Washington DC dinner attended by President Donald Trump.
The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was thrown into chaos by the attack on Saturday night, which comes a day before the British monarch is due to arrive in the US for a state visit.
Sir Keir Starmer has sent a message of solidarity to Mr Trump after the incident, chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News.
He said: “These are remarkable scenes. The prime minister has, this morning, sent a message to the president of the United States in solidarity for the events that took place.
“As you would imagine, with the visit of His Majesty the King this week, our teams are working closely to ensure that security arrangements are put appropriately in place.”
Asked if there are any extra concerns for the King’s safety during the state visit that begins on Monday, Mr Jones said: “As you would imagine, the government and the Palace take the security of His Majesty very seriously, and there were already extensive discussions taking place, which will continue over the coming days.”
Mr Jones told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that discussions on the King’s security during his visit to the United States would take place on Sunday.
Asked if that meant there would be any escalation on what had already been planned, he said: “There’ll be appropriate security in place in relation to the risk.”
When asked about the incident and any impact on the trip, Buckingham Palace said it does not comment on security matters.
Neighbours react to arrest of suspect Cole Tomas Allen
Sunday 26 April 2026 10:50 , Amy-Clare MartinNeighbours have reacted to the arrest of suspected gunman Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California.
Allen, a 2017 graduate of California Institute of Technology, was working as a teacher at the time of his arrest while also developing computer games.
In 2025, he attained a master's degree in computer science from California State University at Dominguez Hills in 2025.
On his LinkedIn page, Allen described himself as a “mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, teacher by birth.”
A neighbor of Allen’s told The LA Times. “We see them every day and we just say hi and they’re very nice. They’re peaceful people, they don’t make any noise and when they see you they say hi.”
Another neighbor said the residents had only moved into the home six months previously.
While another neighbor told The New York Times that the community is home to “lots of retired LAPD... We were told it was super-super safe.”
Suspect was armed with a shotgun, police say
Sunday 26 April 2026 10:35 , Amy-Clare MartinThe attacker was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives when he stormed a security checkpoint at the prestigious dinner, according to police.
The suspect has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a California resident about 31 years old. Little is known about his background, but social media postings suggest he works as a teacher in Torrance, near Los Angeles.
Washington interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll said the suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives when he mounted the attack at around 8.35pm. It is too soon to say what his motivation was, Carroll said.
Based on preliminary information, he was believed to have been a guest at the hotel.
Hotel was site of Reagan's shooting in 1981
Sunday 26 April 2026 10:20 , Amy-Clare MartinThe Washington Hilton was also the scene of an attempt on the life of President Ronald Reagan, who was shot and wounded by a would-be assassin outside the hotel in 1981.
The Republican, who served as the 40th US President, was targeted by John Hinckley Jr as he returned to his limousine from a speaking event at the hotel on 30 March 1981. Hinckley was obsessed with Taxi Driver star Jodie Foster.
Reagan was seriously wounded by a revolver bullet which punctured his lung and caused internal bleeding, along with two law enforcement officers and a White House Press Secretary who were also hurt.
Attendee said shooting was ‘terrifying’ and ‘noone checked his ID’
Sunday 26 April 2026 10:08 , Amy-Clare MartinThe BBC’s Gary O'Donoghue, who was at White House Correspondents’ Dinner, said it was “terrifying” when they heard shots ring out.
He said the “low kind thud that those long guns make is pretty unmistakable”.
“And when I noticed my colleague to my left was diving under the table, I thought, I'd better do the same,” he told the BBC’s Sunday with Lauran Kuennsberg.
“And we ended up on the floor, under the table, on our knees, wondering whether someone was going to start wandering around the ballroom, taking aim at 2500 of us crouched under tables. So it was pretty frightening, and it should never have, it should never have got anywhere near that.”
Discussing security at the event, which took place in the same hotel where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981, he said “noone checked his ID” when he walked into the ballroom.
“All the roads were closed. There were choppers overhead. But, you know, I walked a couple of blocks to the hotel,” he continued.
“I waved my invite at someone who looked at it from about six feet away. No one checked my ID. I was checked a little bit on the way into the ballroom, but even when the beeper went off, they didn't ask me to empty my pockets or anything.”
He said the secret service did their job in protecting the event, but noted the security measures were right outside the ballroom and the hotel was full of regular guests.
Australian PM applauds swift response to shooting
Sunday 26 April 2026 09:55 , Amy-Clare MartinAustralian prime minister Anthony Albanese has praised the secret service and law enforcement agencies for the swift response to the shooting.
He joined those expressing their relief that President Trump and the First Lady were safe following the shocking incident.
I am pleased to hear the President and the First Lady, along with all attendees at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, are safe.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 26, 2026
We applaud the work of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies for their swift action.
Watch: Scenes of chaos and confusion as guests shelter under tables
Sunday 26 April 2026 09:45 , Amy-Clare MartinFootage from inside the dinner has revealed scenes of chaos and confusion as panicked guests took shelter under tables.
Secret service agents can be seen swarming the ballroom at the Washington Hilton after the gunman tried to storm the event, but was captured by law enforcement at a checkpoint in the hotel lobby.
Reactions divided about initial plan for White House Correspondents Dinner to continue after shots fired
Sunday 26 April 2026 09:30 , Shweta SharmaReaction was mixed to the White House Correspondents Dinner plan to continue after shots were fired in the venue and President Donald Trump and others were rushed from the room
One user X commented: “Now they’re talking about continuing this show? Are they crazy?
“HOLY CRAP! President Trump is STORMING BACK to the stage at the WHCA Dinner after the shooter was downed,” added conservative journalist Eric Daugherty. It’s unclear if Trump is returning to the event.
“He’s NEVER RELENTING! Our President the BEST! He makes it through everything.”
Eventually, it was announced the event would be scheduled to a later date.
Reactions mixed about initial plan for White House Correspondents Dinner to continue
Sir Keir Starmer condemns shooting in Washington in message to Trump
Sunday 26 April 2026 09:29 , Amy-Clare MartinUK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington must be “condemned in the strongest possible terms”.
In a post on X, he tagged President Trump and said it is a “huge relief” that the president and First Lady are safe.
I am shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington overnight.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 26, 2026
Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
It is a huge relief that @POTUS, the First Lady and all those…
In pictures: FBI search house linked to suspect in Torrance, California
Sunday 26 April 2026 09:22 , Amy-Clare Martin
'No reason to believe' anyone else involved in shooting, DC mayor says
Sunday 26 April 2026 09:08 , Amy-Clare MartinThere is ‘no reason to believe’ anyone else was involved the shooting, Washington DC mayor Muriel Bowser said.
She told reporters the gunman was apprehended after he rushed a secret service checkpoint in the hotel lobby. One law enforcement official was shot, but saved by his bullet proof vest.
“We are so very thankful to members of law enforcement who did their jobs tonight and made sure that all guests were safe,” she added. “We have no reason to believe at this time that anyone else was involved.”
Starmer sends message of 'solidarity' to Trump after gunman storms Washington dinner
Sunday 26 April 2026 08:55 , Millie CookeUK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has sent a message to Donald Trump "in solidarity" after a gunman armed with “multiple weapons” tried to charge a Washington dinner.
Officials also revealed security discussions are underway ahead of King Charles’ state visit to the US next week, which includes several a White House banquet.
Asked about last night's chaos, chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones told Sky News: "These are remarkable scenes. The prime minister has this morning sent a message to the President of the United States in solidarity for the events that took place.
"He also said that "extensive discussions" are taking place over the King's security ahead of his state visit to the United States next week.
"As you would imagine, with the His Majesty the King, this week, our teams are working closely to ensure that security arrangements are put appropriately in place", Mr Jones said.
Asked whether the government now has any extra concerns about the King's security, he said: "As you would imagine, the government and the Palace take the security of His Majesty very seriously, and there were already extensive discussions taking place, which will continue over the coming days."
Shooting raises questions about security at event
Sunday 26 April 2026 08:52 , Amy-Clare MartinThe shooting on Saturday night of a Secret Service agent at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner raises questions yet again about the protection afforded to America's political leaders at a time of increased political violence.
Hundreds of agents from several law enforcement agencies were tasked with protecting the annual bash, which President Donald Trump headlined this year.
Yet a suspect with a shotgun and other weapons managed to get just a floor above the Washington ballroom where an extraordinary concentration of cabinet members, high-ranking lawmakers and celebrities were dining.
In addition to Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Todd Blanche, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and various other government officials were in attendance, many with their own security details.
Canadian PM Mark Carney reacts after 'disturbing' shooting
Sunday 26 April 2026 08:40 , Amy-Clare MartinMark Carney has spoken of his relief that no-one was hurt during incident, adding that “political violence has no place in any democracy”.
The Canadian prime minister posted on X: “I am relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe following reports of gunfire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington tonight.
“Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event.”
I am relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe following reports of gunfire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington tonight.
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 26, 2026
Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by…
Trump stumbles while being rushed from stage by secret service
Sunday 26 April 2026 08:37 , Amy-Clare MartinFootage has captured the moment security officials bundled Vance and Trump to safety after gunshots were heard.
In scenes of panic, armed officers rushed to protect the president, who was seated on a stage at the White House Correspondents Dinner.
Trump was seen to stumble as he was surrounded by secret service agents who guided him to safety.
Trump admits he should have gotten down faster as shots began at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
Sunday 26 April 2026 08:30 , Shweta SharmaPresident Donald Trump applauded the Secret Service and law enforcement for acting quickly after a shooter opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel Saturday evening.
After being evacuated from the venue, along with other members of the administration, the president wrote on Truth Social that it was “quite an evening” and said he recommended the annual dinner continue as planned.
Around 8:30 p.m., shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen, 31, rushed security armed with a shotgun and other weapons, authorities said. He shot one Secret Service officer before being detained. The president and other members of the Cabinet were rushed from the nearby ballroom.
Trump thanks Secret Service after shooting at WHCA dinner: What we know
How did the suspect get a gun into the facility?
Sunday 26 April 2026 08:23 , Amy-Clare MartinHow the suspect got the gun near the facility remains unclear.
DC Metro Police Chief Jeffery W. Carroll said investigators believe Allen was staying at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the event was being held.
“We have secured a room here in the hotel, and again, we'll go through the appropriate procedures to determine what was inside there," Carroll told the media.
Video showed the suspect running toward a security checkpoint when he fired at least one shot. A Secret Service agent was hit and Carroll continued his sprint.
He was apprehended off camera, but police say he was not shot. He was stopped before he got to the ballroom where Trump and other cabinet members were in attendance.
Who is Cole Tomas Allen? White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting suspect in custody
Sunday 26 April 2026 08:12 , Amy-Clare MartinThe New York Times, citing multiple law enforcement sources, identified the suspect as Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said the assailant had been apprehended and posted a photo of the suspect on the ground at the hotel. Police said Allen was armed with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives.
“They seem to think he’s a lone wolf, and I feel that too,” Trump said at a press briefing after the event.
What we know about suspected White House Correspondents’ Dinner gunman
D.C. police says suspected shooter was hotel guest, motive unclear
Sunday 26 April 2026 08:00 , Shweta SharmaJeffery Carroll, interim chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, said investigators do not yet know the suspect’s motive or intended target, adding the individual was not previously known to local police.
Carroll said the man charged toward a security checkpoint carrying a shotgun and was also armed with a handgun and multiple knives. He was not struck by gunfire and was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Preliminary information indicates the suspect was staying at the hotel, Carroll said, with officers securing the room and following procedures to determine what it contained.
Authorities believe he was acting alone.
World leaders react with shock and condemnation
Sunday 26 April 2026 07:59 , Shweta SharmaReactions have started pouring in to the shooting at White House Correspondents Dinner as world leaders are reacting with shock and condemnation of the attack.
South Korean president Lee Jae Myung said he was “deeply shocked by the violent incident” in a long post on X.
“It is especially regrettable that such an incident took place at an event meant to reaffirm communication with the press and freedom of expression,” he said.
“Political violence is a grave threat that undermines the very foundation of democracy and can never be justified under any circumstances.
“The Government of the Republic of Korea firmly opposes all forms of violence and extremism that erode the values of democracy and the rule of law.”
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said he wa relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed.
“I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned,” he said.
Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed shock, calling the shooting disturbing.
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, said: “Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event.”
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said he was pleased to know that all attendees were safe. “We applaud the work of the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies for their swift action,” he said in a statement.
Kari Lake calls out lax security as world wonders how a shooter was able to get near Trump at Correspondents’ Dinner
Sunday 26 April 2026 07:30 , Shweta SharmaMAGA warrior Kari Lake and plenty of other attendees Saturday night criticized the lack of robust security at the Washington Hilton after a gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with President Donald Trump in attendance.
But Lake, the senior advisor to the United States Agency for Global Media, was not alone in questioning how a gunman could have made it so close to Trump, first lady Melania, Vice President JD Vance and nearly the entire line of succession to the U.S. presidency.
“I can’t believe how lax the security was at the White House correspondents dinner tonight,” Lake posted on X. “Upon entering, nobody asked to visibly INSPECT my ticket nor asked for my photo identification.”
MAGA’s Kari Lake calls out lax security as world wonders how shooter got near Trump
The Independent's White House correspondent says ‘Don’t know why, but I recognized the sound as gunshots'
Sunday 26 April 2026 07:19 , Shweta SharmaPresident Donald Trump had seemingly just arrived — and the military color guard could not have been out of the room for more than a few minutes — when what sounded like five shots rang out from just behind the door closest to the table that my two colleagues and I had been assigned to for Saturday night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop,” the jarring sounds rang out in rapid succession.
People told me they thought a server had dropped a tray behind closed doors. For some reason, I knew better.
I don't know why I recognized the sound as gunshots, but I did.
‘I recognized the gunshots — with Trump in the room — and then something shook me’
Accused is tutor and computer programmer from California
Sunday 26 April 2026 06:50 , Shweta SharmaThe California man arrested in connection with the alleged shooting at the White House during a dinner is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer, according to his social media posts, Associated Press reported.
May 2025 profile photo of Cole Tomas Allen of Torrence, California, appears to match the appearance of the man in a photo of the alleged attacker being taken into custody that was posted Saturday night by President Donald Trump.
The photo, posted to the social networking site LinkedIn, shows him in a cap and gown after graduating with a master's degree in computer science from California State University-Dominguez Hills.
Allen, 31, earned a bachelor's degree in 2017 in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
He listed his involvement there in a Christian student fellowship and a campus group that battled with Nerf guns.
A local ABC station in Los Angeles included an interview with Allen during his senior year of college as part of a story about new technologies to help people as they age. He had developed a prototype for a new type of emergency brake for wheelchairs.
Allen contributed $25 to a Democratic Party political action committee in support of Kamala Harris for president in 2024, according to federal campaign finance records.
Allen's online resume says he worked for the last six years at C2 Education, a company that offers admissions counseling and test preparation services to aspiring college students.
A 2024 post on the company's Facebook page listed Allen as the company's teacher of the month. The company did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Saturday night.
Accused WH correspondents’ dinner attacker is tutor and computer programmer from California
Here's what we know about security measures at the White House
Sunday 26 April 2026 06:40 , Shweta SharmaAuthorities said there was a "multi-layered" security plan at the WHCA dinner with tighter checks inside the ballroom where Donald Trump was present, including Secret Service screening and restricted access once he was seated.
The incident is likely to raise fresh concerns about security at high-profile political events, despite longstanding measures at the hotel following the 1981 assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan.
Investigators believe the suspect gained access to the Washington Hilton by staying there as a guest, according to interim police chief Jeffery Carroll.
The hotel had been closed to the public hours before the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, with entry limited to guests, ticket holders and authorised attendees.
Around 2,300 people attended the dinner, passing through multiple layers of screening, including ticket checks and magnetometers operated by the United States Secret Service and TSA.
Footage later showed the suspect moving past security as metal detectors were being dismantled after Donald Trump had already entered the secured ballroom, when no further access was permitted.
Officials said the “multi-layered” security plan functioned as intended.
Inside, an additional perimeter protected the president, with a buffer zone, concealed armour plating at his table, and armed agents and counter-assault teams stationed nearby.
Suspect says he was targeting Trump officials, report says
Sunday 26 April 2026 06:36 , Shweta SharmaThe man who allegedly carried out a shooting told law enforcement following his arrest that he wanted to shoot Trump administration officials, CBS News reported on Sunday, citing two sources.
The shooting suspect was taken into custody and identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California.
Afterparties to go ahead despite disruption at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
Sunday 26 April 2026 06:16 , Shweta SharmaSome of the night’s afterparties are still set to go ahead, even as the main event was overshadowed by disruption.
The Time magazine party at the residence of the Swiss ambassador will proceed, according to organisers, while an MS NOW event at Dupont Underground is also expected to continue.
“While tonight’s event won’t be what we originally intended, we still think it is important to provide a space for friends and colleagues to be together,” said Richard Hudock, a spokesman for MS NOW.
Trump shares CCTV footage of suspect
Sunday 26 April 2026 06:15 , Shweta SharmaDonald Trump shared the CCTV footage appearing to show the suspect running into the ballroom as he opened fire.
The footage showed the suspect running past the security metal detectors as security agents drew their guns.
He also shared two photos of a shirtless man on the floor with his hands on the back.
British Ambassador thanks Secret Service for swift response
Sunday 26 April 2026 06:01 , Shweta SharmaChristian Turner expressed gratitude to the United States Secret Service following the incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Turner, who attended the event alongside other staff from the British embassy, praised what he described as a swift and professional response.
“The @UKinUSA team attending tonight’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner are grateful for the swift and professional response of the Secret Service,” he wrote.
“We are thankful that the President and those in attendance were unharmed, and our best wishes are with the injured officer,” he added.
The high-profile gathering included a wide range of politicians, diplomats, celebrities and other prominent figures.
RFK's daughter says Democratic congressman 'heroically protected' her
Sunday 26 April 2026 05:51 , Brendan RasciusKerry Kennedy, a lawyer and the daughter of assassinated presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, recounted the chaotic scene inside the ballroom of the Washington Hilton, when a gunman opened fire.
“A loud bang of gun shots, then ‘Get down, get down, get down,’” she wrote on X.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, “heroically protected her,” while a journalist “furiously” took notes nearby, Kennedy wrote.
A loud bang of gun shots, then “Get down, get down, get down!”
— Kerry Kennedy (@KerryKennedyRFK) April 26, 2026
I hit the floor at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner mid conversation with Jamie @RepRaskin, who heroically protected me, whispering, “You’re ok, you’re ok, you’re ok,” while my host from the @BostonGlobe laid…
Democratic congresswoman: 'Please stop trying to murder the president'
Sunday 26 April 2026 05:43 , Brendan Rascius“Please stop trying to murder the president,” Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Washington Democrat, wrote on X in response to the shooting tonight at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
Please stop trying to murder the president
— Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (@RepMGP) April 26, 2026
DHS secretary confirms 'all members of the Cabinet, the media and guests are safe'
Sunday 26 April 2026 05:30 , Brendan RasciusDHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed that “all members of the Cabinet, the media and guests are safe.”
“I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement personnel for their quick and heroic actions,” he wrote on X shortly after 11:35 p.m.
Thankfully, President Trump, the First Lady, all members of the Cabinet, the media, and guests are safe. @POTUS has displayed incredible composure and leadership tonight.
— Secretary Markwayne Mullin (@SecMullinDHS) April 26, 2026
I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement personnel for their quick and heroic actions.…
Kari Lake and others call out lack of security at hotel
Sunday 26 April 2026 04:55 , Eric GarciaKari Lake, the head of Voice of America, was among several guests to criticize the apparent lack of security at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner before the shooting.
Lake, whom Trump nominated after she failed to win both a Senate and governor's race in Arizona, said on social media the security measures were almost nonexistent.
"Upon entering nobody asked to visibly INSPECT my ticket nor asked for my photo identification. All one had to do was flash what appeared to be a ticket and they were fine with that," she said.
Businesswoman Mads Campbell tweeted that she and her friend left the dinner early because something felt off.
Campbell, CEO of Leda Health, said there was "no bag check. no real screening. no line. just thousands of people packed together, being pushed through the doors as fast as possible."
She wrote: “It started the second we got there. every event we’ve ever been to, especially at this level, there are layers of security. bags checked, IDs checked, actual process.
“This time, nothing. we were just asked if we had tickets, said yes, and got waved through.”
She said “it felt wrong immediately. like, viscerally wrong. my [best friend] literally turns to me and says ‘i think something is going to happen.’ And then it did.”
Doug Burgum said he's grateful for law enforcement's speedy response
Sunday 26 April 2026 04:52 , Brendan RasciusInterior Secretary Doug Burgum said he was grateful for the “swift, decisive action” that Secret Service agents and other law enforcement personnel displayed.
“We are thankful for your courage and service,” he wrote on X. “America is strong and unshakable.”
Democratic congressman said GOP colleague moved him to a secure room
Sunday 26 April 2026 04:47 , Eric GarciaRep. Jared Moskowitz, a Democratic congressman from Florida, recounted how he was moved to safety during the White House Correspondents' dinner.
"I want to thank law enforcement, Capital police. I personally want to thank Steve Scalise who grabbed me into a secure room,” he wrote on X.
In 2017, Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, who is now House majority leader, was shot during practice for the annual Congressional Baseball Game.
I am at the #WHCD. I want to thank law enforcement, Capital police. I personally want to thank Steve Scalise who grabbed me into a secure room.
— Jared Moskowitz (@JaredEMoskowitz) April 26, 2026
EXCLUSIVE: Witness describes seeing shooting suspect pull out ‘long gun’ as he rushed toward ballroom
Sunday 26 April 2026 04:41 , Brendan RasciusA woman who witnessed the beginning of Saturday night’s shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner described a horrifying scene to The Independent as guests, service workers and other hotel guests streamed out of the Washington Hilton into the dark streets of Washington D.C. on a drizzly Saturday evening.
Flavienne, a server at the venue, described how she was pushing a service cart into an elevator with another female employee when a man dressed in a suit to blend in with attendees withdrew a long gun from his person and opened fire at least 3 times.
She described a scene of panic unfolding: "The lady was behind me, she was working with me. She [was trying to] push the cart [in the elevator]...The guy passed just close to her. Just like you pass like this -- and then he pulled out the gun, the long gun. He shot that gun Immediately, like three shots.”
John Bowden reports...
Witness describes seeing White House dinner shooting suspect pull out ‘long gun’
ICYMI: Here’s what to know about the shooting
Sunday 26 April 2026 04:36 , Brendan RasciusIn case you missed it, here are the key things to know about tonight’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
- Shortly after 8:30 p.m., shots were fired inside the Washington Hilton, where President Trump, top administration officials and hundreds of journalists were gathered for an annual black-tie dinner.
- Secret Service agents immediately rushed the dais and evacuated the president, along with other Cabinet officials. Attendees still inside crouched beneath tables to take cover.
- The assailant was quickly apprehended by law enforcement.
- Initially, organizers said the event would continue, but it was later canceled.
- Shortly after 10:30 p.m., Trump hosted a press conference at the White House, during which he praised law enforcement for their speedy response. He said the shooter struck one officer, who was protected by a bullet proof vest.
- Trump described the shooter as a “thug” and a “lone wolf.” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said federal charges would be filed imminently.
- The man in custody has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, according to The New York Times, citing two law enforcement officials familiar with the matter.
- The dinner will be rescheduled for the near future, Trump said.
Here's what we know so far about the suspect
Sunday 26 April 2026 04:28 , Brendan RasciusThe New York Times reported that multiple law enforcement sources had identified the suspect to the newspaper as Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said that the assailant had been apprehended and posted a photo of a man lying down on the ground at the hotel.
Mike Bedigan reports...
What we know about suspected White House Correspondents’ Dinner gunman
Photos show chaos at the Washington Hilton after gunshots rang out
Sunday 26 April 2026 04:26 , Brendan RasciusPhotos show chaos breaking out at the Washington Hilton after shots were fired during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner about three hours ago.
Jeannine Pirro says suspect will be arraigned on Monday
Sunday 26 April 2026 04:18 , Brendan RasciusU.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeannine Pirro spoke to reporters about the shooting incident shortly after 11:00 p.m.
The suspect “was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could,” she said, adding he will be arraigned on Monday in federal district court.
She said the officer who was struck “is doing alright and he will be fine.”
Pirro, a former Fox News host, was inside the Washington Hilton when the shots rang out.
Shooter identified as 31-year-old California man: report
Sunday 26 April 2026 04:08 , Brendan RasciusThe assailant has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old man from Torrance, California, according to The New York Times, citing two law enforcement officials familiar with the matter.
A 'visibly shaken' teen girl was among those sheltering after the shooting
Sunday 26 April 2026 04:05 , Brendan RasciusA "visibly shaken" teenage girl who was attending the event with her father was among those sheltering after the shooting, said The Independent's D.C. Bureau Chief Eric Garcia, who was on the same table.
“I was huddled down with a dad who had brought his daughter. She was visibly shaken up and scared by what had happened.
"She was a teenager. Her dad kept on assuring her and saying nothing bad would happen to her as long as he was there."
Garcia described the moments after the gunshots were heard.
“Almost immediately after we began hearing pops, everyone began to duck. People were nervous and worried about the worst. This was, coincidentally, the same hotel where 25 years ago, John Hinckley Jr. shot and seriously wounded President Ronald Reagan.
“Cabinet officials began to file out, starting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, followed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and EPA director Lee Zeldin.
“Education Secretary Linda McMahon filed out but then came back briefly.
“After the initial shock and terror, reporters began to work the room.”
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
