A 31-year-old California man armed with a shotgun and knives breached security at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2026, forcing the evacuation of President Donald Trump and other top officials.
The incident occurred approximately 20 minutes after President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived at the Washington Hilton. The suspect, identified as Cole Allen, a teacher and Caltech graduate from Torrance, California, rushed a security checkpoint while moving toward the ballroom.
What Happened
Secret Service agents confronted Allen in the hotel lobby before he could reach the main event space. During the confrontation, one Secret Service agent was shot at close range but was protected by a bulletproof vest.
The injured agent was transported to a local hospital and remains in stable condition. Interim DC Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll confirmed that Allen appeared to be a lone actor operating without accomplices.
President Trump praised the agent’s response and commended law enforcement for their swift action. “It was a fantastic job by our law enforcement,” Trump said, according to officials present at the scene.
Event Cancellation and Response
Organizers initially attempted to continue the dinner, but the White House Correspondents’ Association formally canceled the event by 9:45 p.m. Trump stated he had advocated to proceed with the program to address the press but ultimately agreed to reschedule.
The rescheduled dinner is expected to take place within the next 30 days. Trump later reflected on the incident as a moment that unified the press and political figures in an unexpected way.
Investigation Ongoing
Federal investigators are searching Allen’s California residence to determine a motive for the attack. Allen remains in custody as authorities continue their investigation.
The breach has renewed discussions about security protocols at high-profile political events in the nation’s capital.
This story has been updated. CNN’s reporting staff contributed to this report.