Trump Evacuated From DC Dinner After Gunman With 2 Weapons Breaches Security

A 31-year-old California man armed with a shotgun and a handgun was taken into custody at the Washington Hilton hotel, prompting the emergency evacuation of President Donald Trump from the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner. The incident marks the third direct threat against the president since 2024 and raises new questions about the security of high-profile political events.

"They seem to feel he was a lone wolf, and I think that, too," President Trump said at the White House about two hours after the evacuation. "A lone wolf, whack job — these are crazy people, crazy people…. They’re sick people, we have a lot of sick people."

The suspect was identified by law enforcement officials as Cole Thomas Allen of Torrance, California, a teacher and game developer. According to a law enforcement source, Allen confessed that his target was US government officials. Video from the scene showed a man charging a Secret Service checkpoint before being subdued by officers. One officer was injured by gunfire but was protected by a bulletproof vest, officials said.

The security breach at such a high-profile gathering, which included Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underscores the heightened political tensions and security challenges facing the nation. The event was postponed, and the FBI has taken over the investigation, examining ballistics and interviewing witnesses.

Investigation Focuses on 'Lone Wolf' Motive

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the agency was examining a "long gun and the shell casings" and urged the public to submit any information. The suspect, Cole Thomas Allen, holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology and a master's in computer science. Federal records show he made a $25 donation to Kamala Harris's presidential campaign in October 2024.

In his remarks, Trump referenced two previous attempts on his life in 2024, stating, "When you’re impactful, they go after you." He also drew a parallel to the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, which also occurred at the Washington Hilton.

A Chaotic Scene

The dinner, Trump's first time attending as president, was meant to be an evening of unity between the administration and the press. Guests reported hearing several loud bangs before Secret Service agents swarmed the stage and evacuated the president. Many of the several thousand journalists and officials in attendance ducked under tables amid the confusion.

"The violence and chaos in America must end," House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said in a statement. The White House Correspondents' Association said the dinner would be rescheduled.

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