Shooting at Correspondents’ Dinner

Cole Tomas Allen Exchanged Gunfire With Secret Service at the Washington Hilton Hotel

Photo from Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

A man accused of opening fire during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was arrested after exchanging gunfire with U.S. Secret Service agents at the Washington Hilton. 

The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, allegedly entered the hotel the evening of April 25 while the annual dinner was underway, with President Donald Trump and other officials in attendance. 

According to investigators, Allen, who authorities say was motivated by political grievances, moved through the hotel before approaching a secured area near the ballroom. Law enforcement officials said he attempted to breach security, prompting an immediate confrontation with Secret Service personnel. 

Gunfire exchanged within moments. One agent was struck in the chest but was protected by a bulletproof vest and survived. Authorities later said that it is still unclear whether the agent was hit by the suspect’s gun or by return fire during the exchange. 

Allen was taken into custody at the scene. No fatalities were reported. 

In a news conference after the shooting, Trump praised the response by law enforcement. 

 “I’ve been through this before a couple of times,” Trump said. 

Allen faces multiple charges, including attempted assassination of the president and firearms offenses, according to court records. Authorities allege that the attack was planned in advance and driven by political anger.