Gunfire Erupts at Washington’s Most Prestigious Dinner
A man opened fire with a shotgun on security personnel at the Washington Hilton hotel on Saturday night. Secret Service agents rushed President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump out of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. The gunman fired at a Secret Service agent at a checkpoint before being tackled and arrested. This shooting at White House correspondents dinner sent 2,600 attendees scrambling for cover. People screamed “Get down, get down!” as security personnel drew their weapons.
"A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service." – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/N3UTveVNFM
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 26, 2026
The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old California resident, allegedly fired at a Secret Service agent. The agent’s bulletproof vest stopped the shot. Trump later thanked the officer, saying “The vest did the job” and confirmed the officer left the hospital in good shape. The suspect carried a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives. Officials believe he acted as a “lone wolf.” Trump described him as a “sick person.” The shooting at White House correspondents dinner marks the third known attempt on Trump’s life since 2024.
Security agents pushed cabinet officials to the ground, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Other personnel in combat fatigues stormed the stage and evacuated Trump and his wife. Some agents pointed rifles into the ballroom. Cabinet members left the venue one by one. Trump stayed backstage for about an hour after the shooting at White House correspondents dinner. He later said he did not want to leave, echoing his defiant response after the Butler, Pennsylvania assassination attempt in 2024.
Trump addressed reporters in an extraordinary late-night press conference at the White House, flanked by Vice President JD Vance. The Washington Hilton holds dark history. A would-be assassin shot and wounded President Ronald Reagan outside the same hotel in 1981.
Zardari, Shehbaz condemn Washington shooting
President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, DC, Radio Pakistan reported.
President @AAliZardari , PM @CMShehbaz strongly condemn shooting incident at White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner@PresOfPakistan @PakPMO @PakinUSA #RadioPakistan #news https://t.co/jOujr2rW5O pic.twitter.com/CGLKKl1JV3
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) April 26, 2026
In a statement, the president expressed relief that President Donald Trump and the first lady remained safe, describing the incident as a “heinous act of terrorism” and worth condemning.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, expressed relief that President Trump & the First Lady are safe, and termed the incident a heinous act of terrorism.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) April 26, 2026
Similarly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep shock over the “disturbing” shooting. In his post on X, the prime minister stated he was relieved to know that President Trump, the first lady, and other attendees were safe.
Deeply shocked by the disturbing shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, D.C., a short while ago.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 26, 2026
Relieved to know that President Trump, the First Lady, and other attendees are safe.
My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish…
He added that his thoughts and prayers are with President Trump, and he wished him continued safety and well-being.
