Authorities identified 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California, as the suspect who fired shots outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel on Saturday night. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were safely evacuated, with no attendees seriously injured, though a Secret Service agent was struck but protected by a bulletproof vest. The suspect was apprehended at the scene and described as a lone actor.
Law enforcement sources identified the suspect as Cole Allen, who was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives when he attempted to charge a security checkpoint outside the ballroom. Officials reported five to eight gunshots fired during the incident. Interim D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Jeff Carroll confirmed Allen was a guest at the hotel and was taken to a hospital for evaluation after detention, though he was not struck by gunfire. President Trump shared a social media photo of the shirtless suspect restrained on the hotel floor and described him as a lone wolf in remarks to reporters at the White House. Carroll stated it appears Allen acted alone, with the investigation ongoing. Federal agents were observed entering a home in Torrance believed to be Allen's late Saturday night. Two sources said Allen told law enforcement after arrest that he wanted to shoot Trump administration officials, though no motive has been officially released. Allen had worked for C2 Education, a tutoring firm in Torrance, where he received a Teacher of the Month award in December 2024; his current employment status is unclear. He graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2017. U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro announced charges against Allen including one count each of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, with more expected. She noted his intent to cause maximum harm and said arraignment is set for Monday in federal court.
