A shooting at the venue hosting the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026, prompted the evacuation of attendees and a major security response at one of the country’s highest-profile political and media events.
The incident occurred outside the Washington Hilton hotel, where senior US politicians, journalists, and public figures — including President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance — had gathered for the annual dinner. Authorities said a suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, was taken into custody shortly after the shooting.
Officials confirmed that attendees were safely evacuated from the venue. One security officer sustained a minor injury but was protected by a ballistic vest and is expected to recover, according to authorities. No other injuries were reported.
Law enforcement said the suspect was armed and faces charges related to attempted violence and weapons offences. The motive remains unclear, and investigations into the incident are ongoing. The shooting has raised fresh concerns over security at major public and political events in the United States.
