Update:
• Shooter apprehended and taken into custody.
• No injuries to Trump or any guests.
• Incident near lobby magnetometer screening.
• Trump praised Secret Service rapid response.
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.
President Trump posted a picture of the suspect on Truth Social along with a video:
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely,” Trump said.
“Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately. I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room,” Trump said in another post, adding “I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 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
* * *
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
Tyler Durden
Sat, 04/25/2026 – 20:59
