An armed man exchanged gunfire with law enforcement after he rushed a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, authorities said. The event this year was attended by President Donald Trump and high-ranking members of his administration.
Subscribe to read this story ad-free
Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
Trump and top members of his Cabinet and Congress were quickly evacuated from the ballroom at the Washington Hilton, where the annual event was being held.
The lone suspect was apprehended after an exchange of gunfire in which a Secret Service officer was injured. No other injuries were reported.
Follow live updates here
In writings he sent to his family ahead of the shooting, the suspect said his targets were Trump administration officials, not hotel guests and employees.
Here’s what we know about the incident.
Suspect is a California teacher and engineer
The suspect was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, a federal official familiar with the case told NBC News. His made an initial court appearance on Monday and faces three charges, including attempting to assassinate the president, a charge that carries a sentence of up to life in prison if convicted.
He was also charged with transportation of a firearm and ammunition through interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The third count Allen was charged with was discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, which can carry a sentence of an additional term of mandatory minimum of 10 years.
Allen is a mechanical engineer, video game developer and educator who had won a “teacher of the month” award in 2024.
In 2017, Allen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology, a prestigious private research university in Pasadena.
His LinkedIn profile indicates that he obtained his master of science degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills, in May 2025.
Allen previously worked as a mechanical engineer, according to his LinkedIn profile. He then became an independent video game developer before taking on a part-time role as a teacher at C2 Education, a company that provides tutoring, test prep and college counseling.
A former high school volleyball teammate described Allen as a “borderline genius” and “super stable.”
“He was probably the most gentle person on the team, which makes it even more shocking that he did this,” the ex-teammate said.
Paul Thompson, one of Allen’s neighbors, said Allen lived with his parents and rode a blue moped around the area.
He said Allen was “not necessarily friendly,” but he hadn’t noticed anything off about him. He added that Allen’s “parents are nice, friendly people,” and the “father especially knows everybody.”
Records show that Allen purchased a Maverick 12 gauge shotgun in August 2025 and an Armscor Precision .38 semi-automatic pistol in October 2023.
Suspect expressed anti-Trump sentiment in his writings
Ahead of the shooting, Allen sent his family members writings that displayed anti-Trump sentiment and described his targets as administration officials, a senior administration official told NBC News.
The official said the suspect’s brother notified police in Connecticut upon receiving the writings, in which Allen apologizes to family and friends but says he does not expect forgiveness.
Allen’s sister, Avriana Allen, described him to law enforcement as having a tendency toward making radical comments, as well as constantly referencing a plan to fix issues with the world, according to the official.
Suspect had multiple weapons
Officials have said Allen has no criminal record and was not on the radar of law enforcement in Washington, D.C.
The suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives when he breached a checkpoint in the hotel lobby about 8:36 p.m. and ran toward the ballroom where the event was being held, Metropolitan Police Chief Jeffery Carroll said.
Law enforcement exchanged gunfire with the suspect, Carroll said, and ultimately tackled him and took him into custody.
He was not shot but was taken to a hospital, Carroll said.
Records and a senior law enforcement official confirmed that he used two legally obtained guns, one purchased in August 2025 and the other in October 2023.
His sister told law enforcement Sunday that their parents were unaware that Allen was keeping his firearms in the home and that he would regularly train at shooting ranges.
A Secret Service Uniformed Division officer was “struck in the vest” and taken for treatment to a local hospital, Carroll said. The officer was later released from the hospital, a source said early Sunday.
Trump said he spoke with the officer, who he said was shot “from a very close distance with a very powerful gun” and was “saved” by his vest.
Trump evacuated from dinner
Security video that Trump posted on Truth Social showed a person run through a room where several security personnel were standing. Multiple law enforcement personnel drew their guns and charged after him, the video showed.
Inside the ballroom, Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other officials were rushed from the room as others ducked under tables and law enforcement ran in with guns drawn.
Not everyone in the ballroom heard the sounds of gunfire. Some NBC News reporters who were inside said there was a commotion and confusion as agents rushed in and toward the area where the president and other officials were seated.
Trump later returned to the White House, where he said in a news briefing that he had spoken with the injured officer, and he praised Secret Service agents for their response.
The president said the moment of gunfire sounded to him like a dinner tray falling.
“I heard a noise and sort of thought it was a tray,” Trump said. “I thought it was a tray going down. I’ve heard that many times, and it was a pretty loud noise.”
He also wrote on Truth Social that first lady Melania Trump, Vance and all Cabinet members “are in perfect condition.”
Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn wrote in a statement on X that the shooter “underestimated the protective capabilities of the U.S. Secret Service, and was stopped at first contact.”
“The strength of our layered security posture was evident,” he wrote, “with a myriad of countermeasures still ahead.”
The dinner was not designated a National Special Security Event, U.S. Secret Service spokesperson Matt Fagiana said in an email Sunday to NBC News.
Such designation is granted by the Department of Homeland Security for high-profile events that may be targets of criminal activity and where many U.S. officials may be gathered. Examples are presidential inaugurations, State of the Union addresses or presidential nominating conventions.
When an event is given that designation, the Secret Service becomes the lead federal agency responsible for security operations. Designated events can also receive federal funding for additional security.
In addition to Trump and Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson and several Cabinet officials in the presidential line of succession were at the dinner.
DHS did not immediately respond Sunday night to an email asking why the dinner had not been designated a National Special Security Event.
Suspect acted alone, was staying at hotel
Carroll said authorities believe the suspect was acting alone and was a guest at the hotel. He said the hotel room the man was believed to be using was being searched by authorities.
Blanche also said investigators suspect he traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then Chicago to Washington, D.C., before checking into the Washington Hilton.
The suspect will be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous or deadly weapon, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, said at a news conference.
He was expected to be arraigned Monday, Pirro said.
“It is clear, based upon what we know so far, this individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could,” she said.
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Secret Service, are investigating.
Trump wants event rescheduled
Trump told reporters that he “fought like hell to stay” at the dinner, but law enforcement concerns took precedence. Trump said the event will be rescheduled within 30 days.
Trump had attended the dinner before as a member of the audience, but Saturday night’s event was his first while in office.
