The annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner — the event that brings together the president, the press, and Washington’s political class in one room — ended in chaos Saturday night when a gunman opened fire outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton.
What Happened
A Secret Service agent was injured when a gunman opened fire outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The agent was shot in the vest after the gunman entered the Washington Hilton, rushed past a magnetometer and opened fire. The agent is OK.
Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn said: “Tonight, a coward attempted to create a national tragedy. He underestimated the protective capabilities of the U.S. Secret Service, and was stopped at first contact.”
Mentalist Oz Pearlman was performing for President Trump, first lady Melania Trump and press secretary Karoline Leavitt when chaos erupted. Pearlman said he heard what sounded like gunshots and then Secret Service rushed Trump away as guests ducked to the floor and crawled out of the area.
A total of five to eight shots were fired. The gunman is alive but injured and was hospitalised. Secret Service officers with guns drawn lined up across the podium area yelling “clear.”
Video shows White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller crouched next to the table and shielded by a federal agent before being led out of the ballroom. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his wife also appeared leaving the ballroom.
The Suspect
The suspected gunman was identified as Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California. Allen bought his two firearms legally in 2023 and 2025 and was not on law enforcement’s radar before the shooting. He charged the security checkpoint with a shotgun in his hand and was also armed with a handgun and multiple knives.
A LinkedIn profile linked to the suspect lists a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and a master’s in computer science. It identifies him as a self-employed video game developer who also works part-time as a teacher for a company that specialises in tutoring and college test preparation. He was named “teacher of the month” in December 2024.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said Allen faces federal charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
Trump’s Response
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely.” He later held a press conference from the White House flanked by VP Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel, and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Trump said: “He charged from 50 yards away, so he was very far away from the room. He was moving. He was really moving. The reaction time was great. Boy, those guys — they had their guns drawn. By the time he was there, they were shooting. I thought they were very impressive.” Trump reiterated his case for constructing a ballroom at the White House, arguing the attack “would never have happened” with planned security measures.
When asked whether the Iran war could be a motive, Trump said: “I don’t think so, but you never know.” Investigators have not established a motive and say Allen was not previously known to authorities.
