Shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner

On the evening of April 26, 2026, a shooting occurred at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen, a teacher and video game developer from Torrance, California. According to Washington Police Chief Jeffrey G. Carroll, the suspect was a guest at the hotel and carried a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives. The attack began around 8:30 p.m. near a security checkpoint, resulting in one police officer being wounded while wearing a protective vest. Approximately 2,500 guests, including President Donald Trump and cabinet members, were evacuated from the ballroom as security protocols were activated. President Trump described the suspect as a disturbed individual who acted alone, and authorities confirmed there is no further threat to the public. The suspect's hotel room has been sealed as part of the ongoing investigation, and legal proceedings are expected to follow.