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White House press conference after correspondents' dinner

Shooter Stopped at Correspondents’ Dinner; President Safe — What We Know (updated)

April 26, 2026/RINewsToday

At 8:36pm Saturday night, at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, a lone gunman ran through the last security checkpoint outside the ballroom of the Washington Hilton Hotel. The incident took place while President Trump, and the First Lady were seated at the head table. Throughout the room were almost every Secretary and Cabinet level person, members of media outlets and key guests. Over 2,000 guests filled the massive ballroom.

As the event was set to start, a lone gunman sprinted through the last checkpoint in the lobby area, outside the ballroom. He was armed with multiple weapons – a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives. As he ran he shot at one security agent who took the shot in his bullet proof vest, and is said to be doing well.

The ballroom was locked down, with attendees told to get down. Hundreds of people were seen taking cover under tables. As this happened, key attendees with security coverage were evacuated. Erika Kirk was seen visibly upset, crouched under the table. Wolf Blitzer of CNN was coming out of the lobby area men’s room and in a first person account said he was very close to the gunman. Blitzer said that security jumped on top of him to protect him, taking him down to the floor.

The President and First Lady were surrounded and immediately taken away – the President stumbled slightly in the melee and regained his footing and was escorted to a secure Presidential room.

Reporters began doing what they do – they took their phones out and started reporting – some from under tables in whispers as the incident played out.

It was quickly learned that the shooter had been taken down, was not killed, and a search began to be sure there were no other assailants.

The President and even the head of the Correspondents group told the crowd to stay put that the event would begin again. However, after a short time it was determined that the event should not continue based on Secret Service recommendations.

The President held a Press Conference back at the White House briefing room. 

“I see so many tuxedos and beautiful dresses – it was a little different evening than we thought. But we’re going to do it again.” President hopes to have it rescheduled in 30 days.
Trump said of the law enforcement staff who had been shot: “He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job.”
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The Shooter:
Identified as 31 year old Cole Allen – from Torrance, California, outside of LA. Allen is a teacher. He had been staying at the hotel, and his room was secured. Believed to be the only suspect.
According to LA media: U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the suspect is being charged preliminarily with two charges related to using a firearm and assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but that there will be many more charges filed “based on the information that we are learning in this very fluid situation.” He will face charges beginning with an arraignment on Monday.

The shotgun and handgun used were legally purchased in California within the last couple of years, a law enforcement source told The LA Times.

According to the LA Times: In October 2024, Allen donated $25 to ActBlue, a political action committee that raises funds for Democrats, according to the Federal Election Commission. The money was earmarked for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. It was his only political donation listed on the FEC website in the past decade.
Allen, who is registered to vote with no party preference, graduated from CalTech in 2017 with a degree in mechanical engineering. While at CalTech, he was a member of the school’s Christian fellowship and the nerf club, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He was featured in a CalTech graduation announcement posted by the university in 2017 on Facebook, which included a picture of him as an adult wearing a cardigan and red tie and a photo of him as a beaming young child holding a stuffed bunny.

From LinkedIn

Allen also earned a master’s degree in computer science at Cal State Dominguez Hills in 2025, according to a commencement program. His LinkedIn profile picture shows him sitting in his cap and gown with the caption: “pretty sure my Master’s in CS is done.” On his profile he describes himself as a game developer, engineer, scientist and teacher.

Allen was named teacher of the month in December 2024 at C2 Education, which specializes in college test preparation, tutoring and academic advising. A representative for C2 Education was not immediately available for comment.

Dylan Wakayama, president of the Asian American Civic Trust, said Allen tutored several high school students who are members of the organization, a Torrance-based non-profit.

“They thought he was very intelligent, proficient in biology, mathematics and science. They thought he was on the nicer, quiet side. They were completely shocked when I told them that this all went down,” he said. In other reports he was described as a “borderline genius”.

“I think all of us in Torrance would be shocked if this is the man who attempted to kill the president of the United States,” he said

In addition to his part-time work at C2 Education, he’s also self-employed, according to his LinkedIn, identifying as an “indie game developer.”

He registered a trademark in 2019 for “Bohrdom” an atomic fighting game he created and released on Steam, an online game platform. The game is described on the website as a “skill-based, non-violent asymmetrical fighting game loosely derived from a chemistry model that is itself loosely based on reality. Alternatively, think of it as a hybrid of a bullet hell and a racing game, with the inclusion of self-propelled pinballs.”

Allen had moved in to the Torrance home several months ago, and lived with his family, as yet unclear as to who they were. “We see them every day and we just say hi and they’re very nice,” a neighbor said. “They’re peaceful people, they don’t make any noise and when they see you they say hi.” Those who knew him said he had increasingly become involved in very left-wing groups and activities.
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In his “manifesto” released on Sunday, he said he wanted to kill the “administration” and expressed anti-Christian sentiments and anti government/political sentiments. He also apologized to his family, calling himself ” – and saying he does not expect forgiveness. Read the manifesto at this link:  Cole Allen manifesto
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It was said by several media outlets and officials that a “national tragedy” had been averted.
President Trump posted several videos and memes on his Truth Social Account. Discussion about the ability to ever secure a public hotel in these “days and times” was common, and the President did not lose the opportunity to promote the need of building a secure ballroom, located at the White House.
The Ballroom used for this event is said to have been over-filled, with not enough security, and rooms like this can’t be used for high security events going forward.
Over the weekend the President announced construction that had been paused by court order would now continue. The ballroom is set to be completed in 2 years. Plans to redo the Correspondents’ dinner is still being talked about to be held – somewhere – in 30 day or less.
Much discussion over the weekend about the efficacy of holding events like this, particularly with all head of state together in one room, and in a room that is part of a public venue – in this case the hotel with over 1,000 rooms.
The level of security screening people coming into the building will be discussed as well as other security measures. Pres. Trump heralded the Secret Service for their work once the event started to play out.
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Pres. Trump did not stumble on his way out – the security personnel shoved him strongly to the floor. While being escorted out, he pauses to turn back toward First Lady Melania Trump (red Louboutins), who has gone onto the floor, and reaching down to help her before agents move both out.

 

Pardon the word….
Cole Thomas Allen will be arraigned Monday morning.
UPDATE: Allen was charged with multiple charges, including attempted assassination of the President which carries a life sentence.
The 2,600 meals of lobster and steak were frozen and donated to D.C. women’s shelters and programs.
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This is a developing story
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