Cole Tomas Allen Tried To Storm WHCA Dinner At Washington Hilton, Secret Service Evacuated Trump

A gunman attempted to storm the White House Correspondents Association dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, and gunfire could be heard inside the dinner around 8:30 p.m., according to the “Doomsday Scenario” column.

The column says Secret Service and protective details swarmed the stage and room about 15-20 seconds later, and that Vice President JD Vance and President Trump were rushed from the stage while Cabinet members and congressional leadership similarly evacuated.

Al Jazeera

The suspect, described as a 31-year-old named Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California, had tried to rush the ballroom armed with both guns—“perhaps a shotgun and handguns”—as well as knives, the column adds.

The column also says Trump headed back to the White House around 9:30 and addressed the events from the White House briefing room alongside other officials.

The Hill reports that law enforcement exchanged fire with the gunman before he was subdued, and that the suspect broke through a security check outside the ballroom of the Washington Hilton, where the dinner was held.

The Hill further states that the suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, according to police, and that journalists and attendees took cover under tables as the president and first lady were evacuated.

Multiple outlets identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, and described how he was taken down by Secret Service near the dinner.

WJLA says a California man named Cole Tomas Allen, 31, who lives in Torrance, California, was believed to be the gunman who was taken down by Secret Service near the dinner where President Donald Trump and other top Cabinet members had gathered, according to the Associated Press.

Al-Jazeera Net

WJLA adds that social media posts appeared to match Allen as “a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer,” and it notes a May 2025 profile photo of Allen posted to LinkedIn showing him in a cap and gown after graduating with a master’s degree in computer science from California State University-Dominguez Hills.

WJLA reports that Allen earned a bachelor’s degree in 2017 in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena and listed involvement in a Christian student fellowship and a campus group that battled with Nerf guns.

The Hill says the suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, according to police, and that the suspect broke through a security check outside the ballroom.

LBC reports that Trump said the incident would “never have happened” if a “large, safe and secure ballroom” had been built on the grounds of the White House, and it identifies the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California.

After the shooting, Donald Trump publicly argued that the attack would not have happened if the White House had built a ballroom on its grounds.

LBC reports that Trump shared his take in a TruthSocial post, claiming the incident would “never have happened” if a “large, safe and secure ballroom” had been built on the grounds of the White House, and it quotes him adding, “It cannot be built fast enough!”

LBC also quotes Trump saying, “While beautiful, it has every highest level security feature there is plus, there are no rooms sitting on top for unsecured people to pour in, and is inside the gates of the most secure building in the world, the White House.”

The same LBC article says earlier this month a US judge halted construction of the above ground portion of the project, and it describes a lawsuit brought in December by the National Trust for Historic Preservation seeking to stop plans for the East Wing ballroom.

LBC reports that the preservation group argued the White House broke the law by starting construction without filing plans with the National Capital Planning Commission, by not seeking an environmental assessment of the project and by declining to seek authorisation from Congress.

The Hill says Trump told reporters at a late-night press conference that the event would be rescheduled and that he thanked journalists in attendance for their “responsible” coverage of the event.

World leaders responded quickly to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, with multiple statements emphasizing safety and condemning violence.

The Hill reports that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the violence in a post on the social platform X, writing, “Relieved to learn that President Trump, the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel. I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned,” he wrote.

Associated Press

The Hill says NATO chief Mark Rutte offered support for the president, saying, “I am shocked by the attack on the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Relieved that President Trump, the First Lady and all the guests are safe and sound,” and adding, “This was an attack on our free and open societies. We stand for democracy and in solidarity with the United States.”

The Hill quotes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemning the “assassination attempt,” saying, “Violence has no place in a democracy. We decide by majorities, not with weapons. I condemn the assassination attempt in Washington and am glad that President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and all those present are safe,” Merz said on X.

The Hill also reports that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese applauded the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement “for their swift action,” according to Al Jazeera, and it quotes him saying, “I am pleased to hear the President and the First Lady, along with all attendees at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, are safe,” the outlet reported.

The Hill reports that European Union President Ursula von der Leyen said, “Relieved to hear that @POTUS Donald Trump and @FLOTUS Melania Trump and everyone attending the White House Correspondents’ Dinner are safe. Violence has no place in politics, ever. With thanks to the swift action of the police and responders for ensuring the safety of the guests,” and it adds that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also condemned the attack.

In the immediate aftermath, the reporting focused on the suspect’s alleged weapons, the law enforcement response, and the legal and security implications.

LBC says the suspect, “said to have been carrying a shotgun and handgun,” has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, and it says he faces charges including assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but acting US attorney general Todd Blanche said additional charges will be filed.

CBC

WJLA adds that U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said he faces charges for using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, and it notes that 7News reached out to Pirro's office for comment on whether those charges will be upgraded.

The Hill reports that the suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, according to police, and that law enforcement exchanged fire with the gunman before he was subdued.

The “Doomsday Scenario” column argues that security at the Hilton was “basically the same as it has been in past years,” and it says the goal of the Secret Service is “to prevent an incident that could harm the president.”

The column also says “You always have to have an outer security perimeter,” and it describes the trade-off that “there will always have to be a first moment where the unvetted and unsecured public approaches a security check.”