US President Donald Trump said the suspect in the shooting near the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was carrying multiple weapons and was stopped by the Secret Service, according to Associated Press.
“He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job,” Trump said, referring to an officer who was hit but protected by a bulletproof vest.
Interim DC police chief Carroll said shooting suspect was believed to have been a hotel guest, intended target unknown.
Who is the suspect?
US authorities have not officially released the identity of the suspect. However, media reports have identified the alleged gunman as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from California, who officials said was a guest at the Washington Hilton where the dinner was being held.
According to CNN, officials have only confirmed that the suspect is a male from California and is in custody.
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According to a CBS News report quoting two law enforcement officials, the suspect worked for a firm in Torrance called C2 Education. The report added that the gunman had received “Teacher of the Month” award from the company in December 2024.
What exactly happened
The incident took place at the Washington Hilton, where the annual dinner was being held. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, with some estimating between five and eight shots.
The shooting occurred near a screening area outside the main ballroom, prompting an immediate security response. Inside, guests were told to take cover as panic spread through the hall.
Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other officials were escorted out safely.
What Trump said
In posts on Truth Social, Trump confirmed that the suspect had been detained. “The shooter has been apprehended,” he said, praising the response of security agencies.
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“Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely,” he added, while noting that the event would likely be rescheduled.
Trump also said law enforcement had asked attendees to leave the venue as part of standard protocol and that he would address the media from the White House shortly after the incident.
What charges he faces
DC Police Chief Pamela Smith said the investigation is “preliminary” but investigators believe the suspect did fire a shot, adding that while the suspect is being evaluated in the hospital, he “was not shot.” Smith also said investigators believe the suspect was a guest of the hotel.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said the defendant “has been charged with firearms and assault charges,” noting she was a guest in the ballroom when the man charged through the checkpoint. “Because that checkpoint worked, there was no one who was injured,” Pirro said.
