A man armed with a shotgun and knives was apprehended at a Washington gala after a Secret Service agent was shot during a security confrontation.
The incident unfolded as guests gathered at the Washington Hilton for a formal event. Police say the suspect, identified as Cole Allen, was tackled in the hotel lobby by Secret Service agents after he attempted to breach a security checkpoint.
What Happened
Allen, who was reportedly a hotel guest, charged toward security personnel while armed with a shotgun and multiple knives. During the confrontation, one Secret Service agent sustained a gunshot wound at close range.
Interim DC Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll described Allen as a “lone actor” with no apparent connection to a broader threat. Authorities subsequently searched Allen’s residence in California as part of the ongoing investigation into his motive.
The Response
Secret Service agents subdued Allen in the lobby and took him into custody. Photographs from the scene showed Allen pinned to the floor by law enforcement personnel.
President Trump commended the speed of the response, saying agents did a “fantastic job” and acted “very quickly” to contain the threat. He later called Allen a “sick person” during remarks to the press.
What Comes Next
Organizers initially considered continuing the event but ultimately decided to reschedule the gala within 30 days. The incident has prompted an immediate review of security protocols at major political gatherings in Washington.
The confrontation marks one of the most significant security breaches at a high-profile political event in the nation’s capital in recent years.
This story has been updated. CNN’s reporting staff contributed to this report.
