Federal authorities believe President Donald Trump was the intended target when a gunman opened fire at a security checkpoint during Saturday night’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed Sunday that the suspect appeared to be aiming for administration officials, specifically the president. The gunman discharged a shotgun at a Secret Service agent stationed at a checkpoint inside the Washington Hilton hotel before being subdued and taken into custody. Security personnel immediately evacuated Trump and First Lady Melania Trump from the venue.
“It does appear that he, he did, in fact, have set out to target folks that work in the administration, likely including the president,” Blanche stated during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” The Acting Attorney General added that investigators believe the suspect made his way to Washington by rail, traveling from Los Angeles through Chicago.
Federal prosecutors plan to file charges Monday against the suspect, including assault on a federal officer, illegal discharge of a firearm, and attempted murder of a federal officer, according to Blanche. He noted that authorities have not yet determined whether the attack has any connection to Iran.
During a late-evening press conference at the White House, Trump expressed his belief that he was indeed the intended victim of the assault. The president reported that the wounded Secret Service officer was protected by body armor and remained in “good shape.”
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi later verified that the injured officer had been discharged from the hospital.
International leaders quickly denounced the attack while expressing gratitude that Trump and all attendees remained safe, showing support for the United States. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte characterized the incident as an assault “on our free and open societies,” with multiple leaders emphasizing that violence has no role in democratic governance.
The British embassy issued a statement indicating that officials are reviewing whether the shooting might impact King Charles’ scheduled visit to Washington beginning Monday.
Law enforcement sources identified the gunman as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old California resident. Initial background information suggests Allen worked as an educator in Torrance, located near Los Angeles, based on social media profiles.
Washington’s interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll revealed that Allen carried multiple weapons, including a shotgun, handgun, and several knives. The suspect was transported to a medical facility for evaluation, though Carroll stated it was premature to speculate about his motives. Preliminary findings indicate Allen may have been registered as a hotel guest.
The violent incident, which began around 8:35 p.m., has sparked renewed concerns about security protocols for senior government officials, particularly given the large gathering of high-ranking officials in the hotel’s main ballroom.
Investigators are focusing on how Allen managed to bring the shotgun into the hotel, which was hosting the prestigious annual dinner that serves as a major event on Washington’s social calendar.
The formal event drew numerous cabinet members and senior administration officials despite extensive security measures. This marked Trump’s first attendance at the correspondents’ dinner as president, having declined to participate in previous years.
The Washington Hilton holds historical significance as the location where President Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt in 1981, when he was shot outside the hotel.
Security footage that Trump later shared on Truth Social captured Allen rushing through a security checkpoint, briefly surprising security personnel before they responded with drawn weapons.
Security forces did not fire at the gunman, who managed to breach two checkpoints before being stopped.
“You know, he charged from 50 yards away, so he was very far away from the room. He was moving. He was really moving,” Trump commented after the dinner was cancelled.
Trump described Allen as what officials believe to be a “lone wolf” operator.
Video documentation shows Trump and his wife engaged in conversation at their head table when commotion from the rear of the ballroom – caused by gunfire – sent waves of alarm through the crowd.
Attendees began shouting “Get down, get down!” as approximately 2,600 guests in formal attire sought cover beneath tables while security personnel drew their weapons. Some agents pushed cabinet secretaries to the ground and shielded them while others established protective barriers.
Armed security personnel in tactical gear rushed the stage with rifles aimed toward the ballroom as Trump, Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance were evacuated. Cabinet members seated throughout the expansive room were escorted out individually by their security teams.
While most guests remained crouched below table level, some began chanting “USA, USA!”
According to a source, Trump remained backstage for approximately one hour after being removed from the stage. He later indicated he had been reluctant to leave the event, reminiscent of his defiant response after surviving an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024.
In that previous incident, Trump sustained an ear injury from a 20-year-old shooter who was subsequently killed by security forces.
Approximately two months following the Butler shooting, Secret Service agents discovered an armed individual hiding in vegetation at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, while Trump was playing golf. Authorities classified this as an assassination attempt, and the perpetrator received a life sentence in February.
