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President Donald Trump and members of his administration were the primary targets of an armed suspect who opened fire on a security officer guarding the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, according to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday.
The shooter fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent at a security checkpoint inside the Washington Hilton hotel. The attacker was quickly subdued and taken into custody. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were hurriedly evacuated from the event.
“It appears that his intention was to target individuals associated with the administration, potentially including the president,” Blanche stated on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” mentioning the suspect’s likely train travels from Los Angeles to Chicago and then to Washington.
The individual faces federal charges on Monday—assault of a federal officer, firearm discharge, and attempted murder of a federal officer. Blanche noted that there is no confirmed link to Iran at this time.
Trump told late-night reporters at the White House that he believed he was the intended target. He added that the Secret Service officer was protected by his bulletproof vest and is reportedly in good condition. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi confirmed the officer has been discharged from the hospital.
Leaders worldwide condemned the attack and expressed relief that Trump and those present were unharmed, with many emphasizing that violence has no place in a democracy. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called the incident “an attack on our free and open societies,” reinforcing the global stance against political violence.
The British embassy, which is preparing for King Charles’ visit to Washington scheduled for Monday, stated that discussions are underway regarding the potential impact of the incident on the visit.
The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, approximately 31 years old from California, is believed to have been a guest at the hotel. Social media posts suggest he may have been a teacher in Torrance, near Los Angeles. Washington’s interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll reported that Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, though his motives remain unclear.
Preliminary investigations indicate Allen may have acted independently, with many questioning how he managed to bring a shotgun into a venue hosting the annual dinner—a significant event attended by Trump’s cabinet and top officials amid tight security. The dinner itself is historically significant as the site of an assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan in 1981.
Footage from security cameras, shared by Trump on Truth Social, shows the suspect rushing through a security checkpoint, momentarily catching guards off-guard before being neutralized. No shots were exchanged with the gunman who crossed two checkpoints before being stopped.
Trump commented afterward that the attacker came from about 50 yards away and was moving quickly. He reiterated that authorities view the individual as a “lone wolf.”
The incident unfolded quickly, with video capturing Trump and his wife seated at a banquet table when hearing gunfire, prompting panic and chaos. Many attendees, dressed formally, dove under tables as security agents drew their weapons, some shielding cabinet members. Trump and Vice President JD Vance were evacuated from the stage, while others were led out individually by security detail.
Most guests crouched for cover, and some chanted “USA! USA!” during the chaos. Trump remained behind the scenes for about an hour before leaving, expressing a desire to stay at the event despite the threat. This echoes his previous narrow escapes from violence, including an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024, where he was wounded but survived.
Two months after that incident, Secret Service agents thwarted another attempt when a man wielding a gun was spotted hiding in bushes at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The suspect was sentenced to life in prison in February.
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