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Shooting Disrupts White House Correspondents' Dinner; One Secret Service Agent Injured, Suspect in Custody
Gunfire disrupted the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton, leading to the evacuation of President Trump and others. The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Allen from California, faces federal charges. The event was canceled, with Trump vowing to reschedule.
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Shots rang out at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in the ballroom of the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026. The booming sounds came from the direction of the main entrance to the ballroom. The sounds were identified as the low thudding sound of semi-automatic weapons.
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Shattering of glass was heard during the incident. Approximately 2,500 people were in attendance at the dinner. People screamed and ran after the shots. Attendees stayed under tables for five to ten minutes after the shots.
Secret Service agents rushed President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice-President JD Vance away from the stage. Secret Service agents stood in helmets and bulletproof vests with guns trained on the crowd. Video shows President Trump taking cover after the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Health Secretary RFK Jr. was seen in a small room by the ballroom just before the dinner. Health Secretary RFK Jr. stated he was hungry and wanted to get on with the event. Health Secretary RFK Jr. was seated at a table not far behind the narrator.
FBI Director Kash Patel was on the floor shielding his girlfriend during the incident. A Secret Service agent ran across the ballroom to aid FBI Director Kash Patel. Roads around the Washington Hilton were closed for hours by law enforcement before the event.
Security at the venue involved a cursory ticket check from six feet away at the door. An agent wanded the narrator but did not investigate bleeps from jacket pocket contents or ask to empty belongings. U.S.
Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that shooter Cole Allen is being charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. Cole Allen is a 31-year-old California teacher, according to @disclosetv. Cole Allen is 31 years old.
