Secret service agent survives shooting at White House Correspondents' Dinner

On April 26, 2026, at approximately 20:35 local time, an incident occurred at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Dinner. A 31-year-old suspect identified as Cole Thomas Allen fired shots near the metal detectors in the hotel lobby. Approximately 2,500 people were in attendance, including President Donald Trump, Melania Trump, and J.D. Vance. One Secret Service agent was struck, with reports indicating a mobile phone in his possession and his protective vest helped deflect the bullet. Anthony Guglielmi, the communications chief for the Secret Service, confirmed the equipment prevented a potential tragedy. The agent was hospitalized and subsequently discharged. President Trump described the suspect as a lone and paranoid actor.