A gunman attempted to breach security at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington on Saturday, prompting the immediate evacuation of President Donald Trump and cancellation of the black-tie event.
The incident occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m. at the Washington Hilton as the annual gala was beginning. The dinner, which brings together journalists, politicians, and celebrities for an evening of political satire and networking, was disrupted when a suspect rushed a security checkpoint on the Terrace Level.
What Happened
According to law enforcement and surveillance footage, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, approached the checkpoint armed with a 12-gauge shotgun, a .38-caliber pistol, and multiple knives. Allen fired his shotgun, striking one Secret Service agent in the chest at close range.
The agent, protected by body armor, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Secret Service personnel returned fire and tackled Allen in the hotel lobby, sustaining minor injuries during the struggle.
President Trump, attending alongside First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance, was evacuated immediately. Trump later praised the Secret Service response, stating agents
