Who is Cole Tomas Allen? Suspect identified in shooting attack

ALBAWABA - A shooting attack took place on Saturday evening at the White House correspondents’ dinner during the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance.

The police were able to arrest a suspect and place him in custody after "charging" through the security checkpoint and past law enforcement officers, law enforcement officials said Saturday. 

Security cameras caught a man rapidly rushing through the metal detectors, as officers were seen running after him. The man was not shot dead or injured, but was being evaluated in the hospital, The Guardian reported. 

🚨#BREAKING: Watch as newly released security footage shows the suspect running past metal detectors before causing chaos at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, before being taken down by the U.S. Secret Service. pic.twitter.com/oyk83KJhFY

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) April 26, 2026

Who is the suspected shooter, Cole Tomas Allen?

The suspected shooter was identified as Cole Tomas Allen. He was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, police said.

According to initial data, Allen is a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, according to the Associated Press and other news organizations.

No new information was released about the suspect, but Interim Washington, D.C., police chief Jeffery Carroll said that he doesn't believe anyone else was involved.

Trump's first response after the gun incident?

^{Photo of the suspected shooter, Cole Tomas Allen. (Donald Trump/ Truth Social)}

Trump, who was evicted safely from the place, mentioned that one officer was injured, but was "saved by the fact that he was wearing an obviously very good bulletproof vest." The president added, "He was shot from a very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job."

The president also revealed that he contacted the injured policeman, and he was "doing great" and in "great shape".

In addition, Trump said the attacker "acted alone," calling him "a very sick person".