The shooting occurred at the Washington Hilton hotel during the White House Correspondents' Dinner, an annual event attended by journalists, politicians, and celebrities. The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from California, rushed past security and fired several shots, according to multiple media reports. A Secret Service agent was hit by a bullet but was wearing a vest and suffered minor injuries, as confirmed by ten major media outlets. The suspect was tackled and taken into custody before entering the ballroom, according to two media sources. Around 2,000 to 2,600 people were in attendance, according to two major media sources, though the exact number remains unclear.
Allen is a mechanical engineer and computer scientist, with a bachelor's degree from Caltech and a master's from CSU Dominguez Hills, according to four major media outlets. He worked as a tutor at C2 Education for six years and was named teacher of the month in 2024, according to five media sources. Allen also developed a video game based on molecular chemistry and was working on a 'top-down shooter' game, according to four media sources. CBS News, the BBC's US partner, reported that Allen worked as a tutor in Torrance after graduating from Caltech. Police said Allen was a guest at the Washington Hilton hotel and was carrying multiple weapons including guns and knives, according to research. Allen's sister told investigators he bought several weapons and stored them at their parents' home, according to federal officers.
It was f*****g awesome.
According to the New York Post, cited by the Daily Mirror, Allen allegedly sent a manifesto to family members about 10 minutes before the attack. The manifesto, according to the document itself, mocked security failures at the venue, noting he walked in with multiple weapons without being stopped. Allen wrote that he targeted administration officials, prioritizing from highest-ranking to lowest, and referred to Trump as a 'pedophile, rapist, and traitor', according to the manifesto. He also wrote that he used buckshot to minimize casualties, but would go through others if necessary, according to the manifesto.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Trump and other administration officials were likely the intended targets. Blanche also said the suspect likely acted alone and has not cooperated with investigators. Trump said the suspect's manifesto shows he hates Christians, and that the event will be rescheduled. Trump also said the impression is that the suspect was a lone wolf, according to his press conference. Shots were heard at the Washington Hilton at about 20:35 ET, according to research. Secret Service agents rushed to Donald Trump and escorted him and his cabinet out of the room shortly after shots were heard, according to research. Trump wrote on Truth Social that the alleged gunman has been apprehended at 21:17, and said he was leaving the Washington Hilton at the request of law enforcement at 21:36, according to his posts. Trump shared footage that appears to show the start of the shooting and a photograph of the suspect at 22:29, according to research. Trump held a news conference from the White House alongside FBI chief Kash Patel and Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche at 22:30, according to research. Live pictures showed a police search of a property in Torrance, California at about 23:10, according to research. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said authorities plan to formally charge the suspect in federal court on Monday at about 23:15, according to research. Allen will face federal charges including assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon, according to ten major media sources.
It was incredibly unpleasant.
According to The Independent - Main, Dana White described the experience as 'f*****g awesome'. According to TV4 Nyheterna, Ginna Lindberg described the experience as 'incredibly unpleasant'. Lindberg also noted there was no ID check at the event, only a metal detector and bag check, according to her account. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife were escorted out; RFK Jr. said he was 'very hungry', according to his son's post.