Gunfire in White House Dinner, Trump safe
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Washington
- Apr 26, 2026
- 587
Gunfire erupted outside the venue of the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C. on Saturday evening, triggering panic as top leaders including Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance were present inside the ballroom.
According to the Associated Press, the attacker opened fire outside the hotel hall, while guests remained inside. Trump later confirmed that the suspect had been captured, clarifying earlier reports that suggested the attacker had been shot.
About 90 minutes after the incident, Trump addressed the media, calling it an attack on the US Constitution and praising the United States Secret Service for saving lives. He said security personnel acted bravely and revealed that an officer who was shot remained safe due to wearing a bulletproof vest. He also noted that the attacker was carrying a powerful firearm.
The suspect was identified as Cole Thomas Allen, a 31-year-old from California. As reported by the BBC, Allen was a part-time teacher and video game developer who had previously been named “Teacher of the Month” in December 2024. He held a mechanical engineering degree from California Institute of Technology (2017) and later earned a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Interim Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll said the suspect was staying at the same hotel where the event was being held, and his room is under investigation. Authorities reported that he was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and several knives. The Mayor of Washington, D.C. confirmed that the suspect is currently receiving medical treatment.
The US Attorney’s Office has charged Allen with using a weapon during a violent crime and assaulting federal officers with a dangerous weapon. He is expected to be presented in federal court on Monday.
Eyewitnesses described chaos inside the banquet hall. Reena Bhardwaj reported hearing a loud noise before waiters rushed in seeking safety, prompting guests to hide under tables. She later saw security personnel with long guns securing the area while top officials were evacuated. Cabinet members, including Scott Bessent, Kash Patel, Pete Hegseth and Witkoff, were escorted out one by one before the event resumed.
Caitlin Collins also described how agents quickly surrounded the room and secured the venue, with many attendees taking cover while Trump was escorted away.
Reacting to the incident, Narendra Modi expressed relief that all leaders were safe and strongly condemned the attack, stating that violence has no place in a democracy.
Records from the Federal Election Commission show the suspect had donated $25 to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in October 2024.
The dinner, organised annually by the White House Correspondents' Association, is a major gathering where the US President traditionally engages with the media through humor and commentary. Trump, who skipped last year’s event, had previously attended in 2011 when he was famously mocked by Barack Obama—an episode often linked to his later political ambitions.
This incident also comes in the backdrop of a previous assassination attempt on Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024, where he was shot near his right ear. He survived after swift action by security, while one attendee was killed and two others seriously injured.
Despite the scare, Trump later described the evening as “eventful” and praised law enforcement for their swift response, urging that the program continue as planned.