Gunman Targeted Trump, Admin Officials At WHCA Dinner Shooting

Update: 

• Shooter’s intent was to Target Trump & admin officials 

• Shooter donated to “Harris for President” via ActBlue 

• Shooter apprehended and taken into custody. Carrying shotgun, handgun and several knives. 

• The shooter has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance California

• No injuries to Trump or any guests.

•  Incident near lobby magnetometer screening.

• Trump praised Secret Service rapid response.

Report says Shooter’s Intent: Target Trump Admin Officials

New details have emerged about Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, who opened fire at the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last night.

Fox News’ Bill Melugin posted on X early Saturday:

Per federal law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation who spoke to @FoxNews, Cole Allen told investigators after his arrest that his intent was to target Trump administration officials at the WHCD.

NEW: Per federal law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation to @FoxNews, Cole Allen told investigators after his arrest that his intent was to target Trump administration officials at the WHCD.

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) April 26, 2026

GOP activist Scott Presler published Allen’s profile data, showing that he is a teacher in California and that he donated to the “Harris for President” campaign through the left-wing funding platform ActBlue.

HOLY COW

The gunman that opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is 31-year-old Cole Allen

— a teacher from Torrance, California.

It appears that Cole donated via ActBlue to Kamala Harris for President.

Another radicalized democrat assassination attempt. pic.twitter.com/sEUCFCN0AF

— ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) April 26, 2026

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Bloomberg’s Annmarie Hordern that Allen “acted alone after traveling by train from California and had been staying at the Washington Hilton, which was hosting the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner.”

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche tells NBC the suspect is believed to have acted alone after travelling by train from California and had been staying at the Washington Hilton, which was hosting the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

— Annmarie Hordern (@annmarie) April 26, 2026

Let’s not forget that the globalist publication The Atlantic was recently forced to admit …

Shooting strengthens the case for President Trump’s new White House ballroom, which would make events like this safer. But activist judges have repeatedly halted construction.

Shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

President Donald Trump was evacuated from the head table at the White House correspondent’s dinner on Saturday night after a gunman, allegedly 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen, 31, of California – stormed the event and fired shots in the lobby. Authorities confirm the suspected shooter has been apprehended and is in custody after shots fired near the lobby screening area. President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and all protectees were safely evacuated with no injuries reported. The Secret Service continues investigating.

 Trump posted a picture of the suspect on Truth Social along with a video: 

According to Just the News, the gunman was not wounded and was carrying a shotgun, a handgun and several knives. 

In a White House press conference held shortly after the incident, Trump praised the Secret Service and law enforcement for their “fantastic job” and rapid response, describing the shooter as a “lone wolf” and “very sick person” from California who was armed with multiple weapons and charged a security checkpoint. He revealed that one Secret Service officer was shot at close range but was saved by his bulletproof vest and is “doing great,” while confirming the suspect was swiftly apprehended and taken into custody without harming any protectees. Trump noted he had “fought like hell to stay” at the dinner but deferred to security protocol, adding that the frightening event unexpectedly unified the ballroom and brought journalists and politicians together; he announced the White House Correspondents’ Dinner will be fully rescheduled within the next 30 days

This video was taken outside the venue: 

🚨🇺🇸 BREAKING: The suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California.

-Video has emerged showing someone on the ground with U.S. Secret Service agents inside the Washington Hilton

-Believed to… https://t.co/EOkEIKYxj1 pic.twitter.com/PQoka3QLSR

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 26, 2026

According to Fox News‘ Karol Markowicz, the suspect is a 31-year-old from Torrance, California. 

🚨🇺🇸BREAKING: The first image of the alleged shooter from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has emerged, showing a body on the stairs at the Washington Hilton surrounded by law enforcement.

Secret Service rushed Trump and other officials off the dais after gunfire erupted,… https://t.co/Y4xVaod1QP pic.twitter.com/YiVld5LUkV

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 26, 2026

* * * Piss off a vegan…

Shots were fired during the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD) at the Washington Hilton ballroom on Saturday evening, prompting the immediate evacuation of President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President, and other high-profile attendees by Secret Service. Guests were ordered to take cover under tables as heavily armed agents secured the venue.

BREAKING

The U.S. Secret Service just rushed the President and First Lady off the dais at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after the sound of shots being fired was heard.

They have since reportedly been evacuated. pic.twitter.com/p3KihVun9A

— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) April 26, 2026

According to Deadline’s on-site reporter Ted Johnson, who was present in the ballroom near the area of the incident: “I heard what sounded like four shots, and it seemed to come from the hall just outside the ballroom near my table.”

Key details from initial reporting:

• President Trump and dignitaries—including the First Lady, Vice President, WHCA President Weijia Jiang, and entertainer/mentalist Oz Pearlman—were quickly hustled out of the ballroom.
• Secret Service agents jumped onto the stage amid the chaos.
• Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s security detail told CNN live that there was a shooter in the lobby and that the shooter is dead.
• A separate White House Pool Report from Jeff Mordock of the Washington Times stated that Secret Service indicated the alleged shooter is in custody – however CNN is reporting that the shooter is dead. the shooter is in custody. 

Attendees described loud noises (consistent with gunfire), panic, people ducking, the room being placed on lockdown, and police/Secret Service sweeping the hotel. Trump and the First Lady were reported safe after a rapid evacuation shortly after arriving at the event. No injuries to attendees or dignitaries have been confirmed in initial accounts.

Security officials evacuated Mike Johnson (R-LA) after a gunman opened fire during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C.

📸: @idreesali114 pic.twitter.com/tugjGlCPA4

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 26, 2026

This was President Trump’s first appearance at the WHCD as sitting president (he had boycotted the event during his first term). The dinner is an annual black-tie affair organized by the White House Correspondents’ Association that traditionally features journalists, politicians, and celebrity guests.

More

A woman is detained by law enforcement outside the Washington Hilton pic.twitter.com/7WIXnFhdDf

— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) April 26, 2026

Erika Kirk spotted in tears leaving WHCD after gunshots: “I just want to go home.” pic.twitter.com/XeUlSZ2ZrT

— TheBlaze (@theblaze) April 26, 2026

The beast rushing to The White House after attempted assassination. pic.twitter.com/BuvG9J1ImJ

— The TRUMP PAGE 🇺🇸 (@MichaelDeLauzon) April 26, 2026

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