Cole Thomas Allen charged in connection with attack at White House Correspondents' Dinner

On April 26, 2026, 31-year-old teacher and game developer Cole Thomas Allen was arrested following a shooting at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Allen, who traveled by train from Los Angeles to Washington via Chicago, allegedly opened fire with a shotgun on a floor above the ballroom, wounding a Secret Service agent. President Donald Trump was present but was safely evacuated by security personnel. Federal prosecutors have charged Allen with attempted assassination of the president, assault on a federal agent, and weapons violations. A message attributed to the suspect and sent to family members referred to him as a 'Friendly Federal Assassin,' expressing grievances against the Trump administration. The suspect is currently held in custody after appearing in federal court, with a detention hearing scheduled for Thursday. He has not cooperated with investigators. The Washington Hilton stated it followed strict security protocols, though some attendees questioned the facility's vulnerability.