Trending Now - California Teacher Identified as Shooter at WHCD Event
WHO:
NBC News - Cole Tomas Allen, 31, is described as a "Friendly Federal Assassin" in writings sent to family members minutes before the attack.
NBC News - Allen's professor, Bin Tang, stated that he took a few classes before graduating last year.
CNN - Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was named "teacher of the month" by C2 Education in December 2024.
CNN - Allen graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and received a master's degree in computer science from California State University-Dominguez Hills in 2025.
CNN - Allen donated $25 to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in October 2024.
CNN - The suspect identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, a teacher and video game developer from Torrance, California.
Fox News - President Donald Trump, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk were present at the event.
WHAT:
NBC News - Allen allegedly charged a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton around 8:36 p.m., armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.
NBC News - Allen is now facing federal charges including assault on a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
NBC News - The suspect, Cole Allen, is facing federal charges including assault on a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
NBC News - Allen is scheduled for arraignment on Monday, April 27, in federal court.
NBC News - The Secret Service is investigating a "shooting incident near the main magnetometer screening area."
NBC News - The shooting incident led to the early conclusion of the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
NBC News - The Secret Service agent struck during the encounter has been released from the hospital.
NBC News - Investigators believe that the suspect was staying in the hotel, which allowed him to enter the hotel at the time of the event.
NBC News - Security camera footage showed the gunman running past security officers who were disassembling the metal detectors at the time of the incident.
NBC News - The Secret Service maintained a perimeter around Trump that included a buffer separating him from other attendees, with armored plates hidden under the table where he was seated.
NBC News - A volunteer revealed that the gunman "assembled a long weapon in an unsecured room" before firing near the ballroom.
NBC News - Allen was subdued near the dinner venue by law enforcement.
NBC News - The Secret Service is investigating the shooting incident near the main security screening area.
NBC News - The shooting incident took place on a Saturday night.
NBC News - The gunfire erupted just after 8:30 p.m.
Alternet - Cole Allen is facing federal charges including assault on a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Alternet - Allen is scheduled for arraignment on Monday, April 27, in federal court.
NBC News - The Secret Service is investigating a "shooting incident near the main magnetometer screening area."
AP - The hotel was closed to the public beginning at 2 p.m. in anticipation of the dinner, which started at 8 p.m.
AP - The event had 2,300 guests in attendance.
AP - Investigators believe that the suspect was staying in the hotel, which allowed him to enter the hotel at the time of the event.
AP - Security camera footage showed the gunman running past security officers who were disassembling the metal detectors at the time of the incident.
AP - The Secret Service maintained a perimeter around Trump that included a buffer separating him from other attendees, with armored plates hidden under the table where he was seated.
Fox News - A volunteer revealed that the gunman "assembled a long weapon in an unsecured room" before firing near the ballroom.
NBC News - The Secret Service is investigating the shooting incident near the main security screening area.
NBC News - The shooting incident led to the early conclusion of the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
NBC News - The Secret Service agent struck during the encounter has been released from the hospital.
AP - The suspect was believed to have made it past the outermost layer of security because he was a guest of the hotel.
Alternet - Cole Allen is facing federal charges including assault on a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Alternet - Allen is scheduled for arraignment on Monday, April 27, in federal court.
Fox News - Trump stated that the suspect was apprehended and praised law enforcement for their quick response.
Fox News - Trump described the suspect as a "very sick" person armed with multiple weapons.
Alternet - Cole Allen is facing federal charges including assault on a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Alternet - Allen is scheduled for arraignment on Monday, April 27, in federal court.
AP - The Secret Service is investigating the shooting incident near the main security screening area.
AP - The hotel was closed to the public beginning at 2 p.m. in anticipation of the dinner, which started at 8 p.m.
AP - The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives during the incident.
AP - The suspect was believed to have made it past the outermost layer of security because he was a guest of the hotel.
AP - The hotel was closed to the public beginning at 2 p.m. in anticipation of the dinner, which started at 8 p.m.
AP - The event had 2,300 guests in attendance.
CNN - Allen published an indie game called Bohrdom for sale on the Steam gaming platform for $1.99 and registered a trademark for the game’s name in 2018.
Fox News - Trump described the suspect as a "very sick" person armed with multiple weapons.
CNN - Cole Allen was identified as the armed man who opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
Fox News - Shots were fired at the Washington Hilton, causing chaos and panic among attendees, who took cover under tables.
NBC News - The shooting incident led to the early conclusion of the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Fox News - Trump stated that the suspect was apprehended and praised law enforcement for their quick response.
WHERE:
CNN - The incident occurred at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
WHEN:
CNN - The shooting incident took place on a Saturday night.
Fox News - The gunfire erupted just after 8:30 p.m.
WHY:
NBC News - Investigators believe Allen intended to target Trump administration officials, as confirmed by senior federal law enforcement sources.
Fox News - Trump stated, "When you are impactful they go after you, when you are not impactful they leave you."
Fox News - Trump commented on the nature of political violence, stating, "The people that make the biggest impact, they're the ones that [shooters] go after."
Fox News - Trump stated, "When you are impactful they go after you, when you are not impactful they leave you."
Fox News - Trump stated, "When you are impactful they go after you, when you are not impactful they leave you."
Fox News - Trump commented on the nature of political violence, stating, "The people that make the biggest impact, they're the ones that [shooters] go after."
HOW:
NBC News - Allen's manifesto revealed he mocked the lack of security during his cross-country journey, stating, "No damn security. Not in transport. Not in the hotel. Not in the event."
Alternet - Allen allegedly charged a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton around 8:36 p.m., armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.
Alternet - Allen fired at a Secret Service agent, but the officer survived because he was wearing a bulletproof vest.
Alternet - Allen allegedly charged a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton around 8:36 p.m., armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.
Alternet - Allen fired at a Secret Service agent, but the officer survived because he was wearing a bulletproof vest.
AP - Investigators believe that the suspect was staying in the hotel, which allowed him to enter the hotel at the time of the event.
AP - Security camera footage showed the gunman running past security officers who were disassembling the metal detectors at the time of the incident.
AP - The Secret Service maintained a perimeter around Trump that included a buffer separating him from other attendees, with armored plates hidden under the table where he was seated.
Fox News - A volunteer revealed that the gunman "assembled a long weapon in an unsecured room" before firing near the ballroom.
CNN - Allen was subdued near the dinner venue by law enforcement.
NBC News - The Secret Service is investigating the shooting incident near the main security screening area.
Alternet - Allen allegedly charged a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton around 8:36 p.m., armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.
Alternet - Allen fired at a Secret Service agent, but the officer survived because he was wearing a bulletproof vest.
Alternet - Allen allegedly charged a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton around 8:36 p.m., armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.
Alternet - Allen fired at a Secret Service agent, but the officer survived because he was wearing a bulletproof vest.
AP - Investigators believe that the suspect was staying in the hotel, which allowed him to enter the hotel at the time of the event.
AP - Security camera footage showed the gunman running past security officers who were disassembling the metal detectors at the time of the incident.
AP - The Secret Service maintained a perimeter around Trump that included a buffer separating him from other attendees, with armored plates hidden under the table where he was seated.
Fox News - A volunteer revealed that the gunman "assembled a long weapon in an unsecured room" before firing near the ballroom.
CNN - Allen was subdued near the dinner venue by law enforcement.
NBC News - The Secret Service is investigating the shooting incident near the main security screening area.
(UPDATED April 27, 2026 01:21 UTC)
Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old described as a "Friendly Federal Assassin," allegedly charged a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives, while facing federal charges for assault on a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence. Investigators believe he intended to target Trump administration officials, as indicated by senior federal law enforcement sources. In a manifesto sent to family members, Allen criticized the lack of security during his travels, stating, "No damn security. Not in transport. Not in the hotel. Not in the event."
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(UPDATED April 26, 2026 23:10 UTC)
Cole Allen is facing federal charges, including assault on a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence, following a shooting incident at the Washington Hilton that disrupted the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The Secret Service is investigating the event, which occurred just after 8:30 p.m., and Allen is scheduled for arraignment in federal court on Monday, April 27. Fortunately, the Secret Service agent who was shot has been released from the hospital, and Allen was subdued by law enforcement near the dinner venue.
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(UPDATED April 26, 2026 21:05 UTC)
Cole Allen is facing federal charges, including assault on a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence, with his arraignment scheduled for Monday, April 27, in federal court. The Secret Service is investigating a shooting incident that occurred near the main magnetometer screening area during the White House Correspondents' Dinner, which had 2,300 guests in attendance and was cut short due to the event. Investigators believe Allen was staying at the hotel, allowing him to bypass security, and footage showed him running past officers who were disassembling metal detectors when the incident unfolded.
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(UPDATED April 26, 2026 19:13 UTC)
Cole Allen is facing federal charges, including assault on a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence, after allegedly charging a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton while armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives. Trump praised law enforcement for their quick response to the incident, describing Allen as a "very sick" person who fired at a Secret Service agent, who fortunately survived due to wearing a bulletproof vest. Allen is scheduled for arraignment in federal court on Monday, April 27.
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(UPDATED April 26, 2026 15:08 UTC)
Cole Allen is facing federal charges, including assault on a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence, and he is scheduled for arraignment in federal court on Monday, April 27. Allen allegedly charged a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives, firing at a Secret Service agent who survived due to wearing a bulletproof vest. The Secret Service is currently investigating the shooting incident that occurred near the main security screening area, while the hotel had been closed to the public earlier in anticipation of a dinner event.
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(UPDATED April 26, 2026 11:09 UTC)
In a troubling incident at a hotel preparing for a major event, a suspect named Cole Tomas Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives, managing to bypass the outermost layer of security as he was a guest at the hotel. Security footage revealed that he ran past officers who were disassembling metal detectors just before the event, which was set to host 2,300 guests and began at 8 p.m. Meanwhile, the Secret Service had established a secure perimeter around Trump, ensuring his safety with a buffer and armored plates concealed under the table where he was seated.
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(UPDATED April 26, 2026 07:18 UTC)
Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old educator recognized as "teacher of the month" by C2 Education in December 2024, has an impressive academic background, graduating from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 and earning a master's degree in computer science from California State University-Dominguez Hills in 2025. In addition to his teaching accolades, Allen published an indie game called Bohrdom on the Steam platform in 2018, while also making a $25 donation to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in October 2024. Meanwhile, Trump described a recent gunman as a "very sick" person, noting that the suspect assembled a long weapon in an unsecured room before opening fire near a ballroom, and emphasized that those who are impactful often face such threats.
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(UPDATED April 26, 2026 05:46 UTC)
Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old teacher and video game developer from Torrance, California, has been identified as the armed man who opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner held at the Washington Hilton. The incident, which erupted just after 8:30 p.m. on a Saturday night, caused chaos and panic among attendees, who quickly took cover under tables. President Trump, who was present at the event along with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, confirmed that Allen was apprehended and praised law enforcement for their swift response. The shooting led to the early conclusion of the dinner, and the Secret Service is currently investigating the incident near the main security screening area. Trump also commented on the nature of political violence, stating that "the people that make the biggest impact, they're the ones that [shooters] go after."