Washington, D.C. — A gunman opened fire near the White House Correspondents’ Association annual dinner on Saturday night, prompting a swift security response and the temporary evacuation of President Donald Trump from the venue.
According to multiple reports, the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, was subdued by law enforcement officers outside the Hilton hotel where the event was held. Allen, a former teacher and video game developer, was taken into custody without further incident.
President Trump was briefly escorted from the ballroom after gunfire was reported nearby. He later confirmed on social media that the shooter had been apprehended and emphasized that he was unharmed. “The shooter is in custody. The dinner will continue,” Trump wrote.
Authorities said Allen traveled from Southern California to attend the event. Investigators revealed he had previously worked as a part-time tutor at C2 Education and had earned recognition as “Teacher of the Month” in December 2024. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology and a master’s in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Public records show Allen made a $25 donation to Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign in October. His LinkedIn profile also lists him as an independent game developer, noting a Steam release titled Bohrdom.
Trump stated he believed he may have been the intended target but said there was no indication the shooting was linked to ongoing tensions with Iran. He added that the dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days.
No injuries were reported among attendees or officials. The Secret Service confirmed that the president and all Cabinet members present remained safe throughout the incident.
The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, traditionally attended by journalists, politicians, and celebrities, drew international attention following the disruption. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about security at high-profile public events in the nation’s capital.
