A 31-year-old man from California has been taken into custody following a shooting incident during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, late Saturday, according to media reports cited by Anadolu Agency.
The suspect, identified as Cole Thomas Allen, is believed to have acted alone. Confirming the development, US President Donald Trump described him as “a very sick person.”Trump, along with First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and several Cabinet members, was escorted out of the Washington Hilton ballroom by the United States Secret Service shortly after the incident.
Authorities said the suspect was armed with multiple weapons, including a shotgun, a handgun and several knives. Metropolitan Police interim chief Jeff Carroll said the suspect had been a guest at the hotel.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said the suspect reportedly rushed a Secret Service checkpoint in the lobby before being stopped by agents.
An officer was shot during the incident but survived due to wearing a bulletproof vest. “He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job,” Trump said, adding that the officer was “in great shape.”
Witness accounts
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes inside the venue. A volunteer at the event told the New York Post that the suspect appeared to assemble a long weapon in a lightly monitored area near a terrace-level entrance.
She said the man retrieved parts from a bag and assembled the weapon in what appeared to be a makeshift storage area before moving toward the ballroom. Moments later, multiple gunshots were heard, triggering panic among attendees.
Witnesses reported hearing at least 10 rounds fired, with guests taking cover under tables as security forces responded.
Investigation underway
The suspect was later apprehended and taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Jeanine Pirro, US attorney for the District of Columbia, said the suspect would face two charges and is expected to be produced before a federal court on Monday. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said additional charges could follow as the investigation continues.
Kash Patel, who was present at the event, said the Federal Bureau of Investigation has begun examining the suspect’s background and would analyse all evidence.
While no clear motive has been officially confirmed, CBS News reported, citing sources, that the suspect told security personnel he intended to target officials from the Trump administration, though he did not specify the president.
Background of the suspect
According to reports, Allen studied computer science and appears to have graduated from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2025.
Law enforcement sources also told CBS News that he had worked as a teacher at C2 Education in Torrance and had previously received a “Teacher of the Month” recognition in December 2024. It remains unclear whether he was still employed there at the time of the incident.
Incident at the dinner
The shooting occurred during the high-profile annual dinner held at the Washington Hilton, attended by senior government officials, journalists and public figures.
Following the gunfire, Trump, the first lady and other top officials were evacuated from the head table, while security forces secured the venue and took the suspect into custody.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing.
