BackPOLITICS
Shots, Secret Service Chase, Chaos: A Timeline Of Shooting At Trump Event
A shooting outside the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Dinner prompted a rapid Secret Service response. A gunman was stopped before entering the ballroom, and evacuation and protective actions followed inside the venue.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights security protocols at high-profile political events and the risks faced by national leaders and attendees during such gatherings.
Timeline
3 Events
Suspect identified as Cole Tomas Allen
April 25, 2026
Officials identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old man from Los Angeles. He was reportedly working as a teacher and video game developer, and officials said he had registered as a guest at the hotel.
On-stage disruption and evacuation inside the ballroom
April 25, 2026
Inside the ballroom, as the shooting outside unfolded, an individual sprinted toward the president while Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were on stage speaking with entertainer Oz Pearlman. Armed officers entered the room from multiple entrances, shouting commands such as 'get down' as guests and staff ducked under tables. The head table was cleared within seconds; Vice President JD Vance was moved from his seat, and Secret Service agents formed a protective shield around Trump near the stage as evacuation began. Erika Kirk was evacuated by security staff.
Gunfire outside the Washington Hilton as a gunman is stopped by Secret Service
April 25, 2026
At around 8:30 p.m. ET, a man carrying a shotgun sprinted toward the president and fired shots at a security checkpoint outside the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Secret Service agents immediately engaged the gunman, and there was a brief exchange of gunfire outside the building. A security officer was reportedly struck by a bullet but remained protected by a ballistic vest, and the gunman was overpowered and stopped before he could enter the ballroom.