Suspect identified in White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting

• DC police chief says gala shooting suspect to be arraigned Monday on firearms, assault charges.

Federal prosecutors have announced that the man accused of opening fire during the high-profile White House Correspondents' Dinner (WHCD) on Saturday night will make his first appearance in federal court this Monday.

The suspect has been identified by law enforcement officials as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California.

The Charges

US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, confirmed that Allen faces several federal charges, including:

• Assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
• Use of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.

"It is clear, based upon what we know so far, that this individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could," Pirro stated during a briefing, adding that the suspect is likely to face "many more charges" as the investigation continues.

Details of the Incident

The shooting occurred at approximately 8:40 p.m. EDT at the Washington Hilton, the historic venue where the annual gala was being held.

• The Breach: Allen allegedly armed himself with multiple weapons, including a "long gun" and knives, and attempted to charge a security checkpoint near the main magnetometer screening area just outside the ballroom.
• The Exchange: The suspect reportedly fired at least six shots. During the confrontation, a US Secret Service agent was struck by gunfire at close range. However, the agent was wearing a bulletproof vest which absorbed the impact; authorities confirmed the officer is in "great shape" and was not seriously injured.
• The Response: Secret Service agents and tactical teams quickly neutralized the threat, taking Allen into custody without him being injured.

Scene Inside the Ballroom

The event, attended by roughly 2,600 guests, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and various cabinet members, descended into chaos as the sounds of gunfire echoed through the lobby.

"Many of the attendees abandoned their burrata salads to take cover under their tables as Secret Service agents yelled 'shots fired' and rushed the President and First Lady off the stage," according to pool reports from the scene.

Presidential Reaction

Following the incident, President Trump praised the swift actions of law enforcement on Truth Social, describing the suspect as a "lone wolf" and a "sick person."

"Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely," Trump wrote. He later held a press conference at the White House to reassure the public that all protectees were safe.

The FBI and Metropolitan Police Department are currently conducting a joint investigation, examining shell casings and security footage that reportedly shows the suspect rushing toward the security perimeter before being swarmed by agents.