An armed man breached security at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2026, forcing the evacuation of President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and lawmakers.

The incident occurred at the Washington Hilton approximately 20 minutes after the President’s arrival. A suspect identified as Cole Allen, a 31-year-old teacher from Torrance, California, rushed a security checkpoint while armed with a shotgun and multiple knives.

What Happened

Allen was moving aggressively toward the ballroom when Secret Service agents confronted him in the hotel lobby. Agents pinned the suspect to the floor before he could enter the main event space.

During the confrontation, one Secret Service agent was shot at close range. President Trump later praised the agent’s response, noting that his bulletproof vest saved his life. The officer was transported to a local hospital and remains in stable condition.

The Response

Interim DC Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll confirmed that Allen appeared to be acting alone and was believed to be a hotel guest. “There was no ongoing threat to the general public following his capture,” Carroll stated.

President Trump condemned the attacker as “sick” and commended law enforcement for their “fantastic job” in responding to the crisis. Event organizers initially attempted to proceed with the dinner but cancelled by 9:45 p.m.

What Comes Next

Trump stated he had pushed to continue the event to address the press but agreed to a rescheduling within 30 days. Federal investigators are searching Allen’s California residence to determine a motive for the attack.

The incident has renewed discussions about security protocols for high-profile political events in the nation’s capital.

This story has been updated. CNN’s reporting team contributed to this report.