Armed suspect Cole Tomas Allen was arrested after opening fire at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
An armed suspect attempted to breach a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on April 25, 2026, prompting the evacuation of President Donald Trump and other senior officials from the Washington Hilton.
The incident unfolded shortly after the high-profile dinner began, transforming an evening attended by journalists, politicians and government officials into a rapidly developing security emergency. Authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California. Investigators allege that Allen approached a security checkpoint carrying multiple weapons, including a shotgun, handgun and knives. Law enforcement officers intervened before he could reach the main ballroom.