Gunman Opens Fire at White House Correspondents' Dinner; Trump Evacuated, One Officer Shot; Cole Allen, 31, Arrested

A gunman opened fire near the magnetometer screening area outside the main ballroom of the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on April 25–26, prompting Secret Service to evacuate President Trump, First Lady Melania, Vice President JD Vance, and numerous Cabinet members from the venue. One law enforcement officer was struck by gunfire but was protected by body armor and was expected to recover. The suspect — Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California — was apprehended at the scene and found to be armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the suspect appeared to be targeting Trump administration officials. This was Trump's first-ever attendance at a White House Correspondents' Dinner as a sitting president. The Secret Service activated its full protective detail and the event was suspended. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Trump by phone the following day to wish the president well following the incident, ahead of King Charles and Queen Camilla's planned US state visit. Hundreds of journalists and officials who had gathered for what was intended as a lighthearted press freedom celebration found themselves sheltering in place or evacuating the building under law enforcement direction.