US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were emergency evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on Saturday evening, April 25, following an armed attempt to breach the event’s security perimeter, Reuters reported.
The suspect, identified by law enforcement as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, reportedly opened fire on a secret service agent at a checkpoint near the ballroom. The agent sustained a hit to his bulletproof vest and did not suffer serious injuries, according to The Washington Post.
Allen, who was a guest at the Hilton hotel where the dinner was held, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives. He was apprehended at the scene and taken to Howard University Hospital; authorities believe he acted alone.
President Trump later praised the Secret Service on Truth Social, calling their response “fantastic” and labeling the attacker a “sick person.” Despite the incident, which was attended by approximately 2,600 guests, the president emphasized that the event would be rescheduled rather than canceled. “We won’t let anyone take over our society,” Trump stated.
US attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced that Allen will face “multitude” of charges, including assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon and use of a firearm during a violent crime. His first court appearance is scheduled for April 27.
Pirro noted that the security checkpoint effectively prevented the gunman from entering the ballroom, where he intended to cause maximum harm.
This security breach represents the most serious threat to Trump’s life since his return to the presidency. It follows a series of high-profile attempts during his 2024 campaign, including a shooting in Pennsylvania that grazed his ear and a September 2024 incident at his Florida golf club involving an armed suspect with an AK-47-style rifle.
Trump survived an earlier assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July, with a bullet slightly grazing his right earlobe, just days before the Republican National Convention.
Unlike previous attempts where limited security perimeters were cited due to his candidate status, this latest attack occurred within a heavily fortified federal security zone, raising fresh questions about the persistent risks facing the US leader.