Shots were heard at the Washington Hilton at about 20:35 ET, according to research reports. Secret Service agents rushed to Donald Trump and escorted him and his cabinet out of the room shortly after the shots were heard. Trump wrote on Truth Social at 21:17 that the alleged gunman had been apprehended, and at 21:36 he said he was leaving the hotel at the request of law enforcement. At 22:29, Trump shared footage that appears to show the start of the shooting and a photograph of the suspect. He held a news conference from the White House alongside FBI chief Kash Patel and Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche at 22:30. US media named the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen at about 22:50, citing multiple sources.
Allen, a mechanical engineer and computer scientist with a bachelor's from Caltech and a master's from CSU Dominguez Hills, according to his LinkedIn profile, allegedly sent a manifesto to family members about 10 minutes before the attack, mocking security failures, the NY Post reported. The manifesto stated that Allen targeted administration officials, including possibly the president, according to the NY Post and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, as reported by Dagens Nyheter. Allen worked as a tutor at C2 Education for six years and was named teacher of the month in 2024, according to the company's Facebook page. He developed a video game based on molecular chemistry and was working on a top-down shooter game, according to online posts. Allen's sister told investigators that he bought several weapons, including a .38-caliber pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun, stored at their parents' home, according to federal officers.
It was f***ing awesome.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Trump and administration officials were likely targets, and that Allen likely acted alone and has not cooperated with investigators. Trump said the suspect's manifesto shows he hates Christians, and thanked the Secret Service, adding that the dinner will be rescheduled. Trump also said the impression is that the suspect was a lone wolf, according to research reports.
According to The Independent - Main, UFC CEO Dana White described the experience as 'f***ing awesome'. According to TV4 Nyheterna, Swedish journalist Ginna Lindberg described hearing 4-5 shots and lying under tables. According to Metro - Main, RFK Jr., who was escorted out, described himself as 'very hungry'.
I heard 4-5 shots and we all lay under the tables.
Allen will face federal charges including assault on an officer with a deadly weapon, police said. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said authorities plan to formally charge the suspect in federal court on Monday, according to research reports.
Allen was staying as a guest at the Washington Hilton hotel, police confirmed. A Secret Service agent was hit by a bullet but was wearing a vest and suffered minor injuries, according to major media reports from 10 sources. Allen rushed past security barricades and fired several shots, police said. There is a minor discrepancy in witness accounts regarding the number of shots fired: some reported 4-5 shots, while others said a handful. There is also a contradiction about whether the suspect was injured: police said Allen was not injured and was taken into custody without injury, but other reports indicate he is receiving hospital treatment. Additionally, it is unclear whether the shots came from the entrance or lobby, or whether the suspect was stopped before entering the ballroom.
I'm very hungry.
Live pictures showed a police search of a property in Torrance, California at about 23:10, according to research reports. The exact motive of the suspect remains unknown, as does how he obtained the weapons and bypassed security. It is also unclear whether any other individuals were involved, and what the current condition of the injured Secret Service agent is.