Investigators say the gunman who attempted to storm a high-profile gala dinner attended by Donald Trump had plans to target top United States government officials, raising fresh concerns about security at major events.
The incident unfolded Saturday night at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, where panic erupted after the suspect tried to force his way past a security checkpoint.
Secret Service agents quickly evacuated Trump from the hotel ballroom as chaos spread among guests. Surveillance footage later shared by the president showed the gunman sprinting toward the checkpoint before security personnel drew their weapons.
Authorities said an exchange of gunfire followed, after which the suspect was apprehended at the scene. He remains in custody and is expected to appear in federal court on Monday.
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said the suspect has not been cooperating with investigators.
“He’s not actively cooperating. I expect that he will be formally charged tomorrow morning in federal court in Washington,” Blanche said during an interview on CBS’ Face the Nation.
He added that preliminary findings suggest the attacker was specifically targeting members of the administration, although no clear motive has yet been established.
According to investigators, the suspect was heavily armed with a shotgun, handgun and knives. He had reportedly been staying at the Washington Hilton, the venue hosting the black-tie event.
Blanche said the suspect traveled across multiple states before arriving in the capital, taking a train route from Los Angeles to Chicago and then on to Washington. Authorities believe the firearms were purchased legally in recent years.
Inside the ballroom, attendees — including First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, cabinet members and lawmakers — scrambled for safety as shots rang out. Many were seen diving under tables while security agents rushed in.
Trump later told reporters he initially mistook the noise for a dropped object before realizing it was gunfire. He expressed hope that the annual media gala could be rescheduled within a month.
“They seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too,” Trump said, noting that one officer was shot at close range but protected by a safety vest and not seriously injured.
The president also raised concerns about the venue’s security, describing it as “not a particularly secure” location — a claim that has intensified scrutiny over safety arrangements for high-profile gatherings.
On Sunday, FBI tactical teams were seen entering a residence in Torrance, California, believed to be linked to the suspect. Several US media outlets identified him as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from the Los Angeles area.
The incident marks the latest in a series of security threats involving Trump. In 2024, he survived an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman opened fire, killing one attendee and injuring the president. Months later, another armed suspect was arrested near his golf course in West Palm Beach.
The Washington Hilton itself carries historical significance, having been the site of the 1981 assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan.
The annual Correspondents’ Dinner, organized by the White House Correspondents’ Association, brings together journalists, political leaders and celebrities to raise funds for scholarships and awards.
Saturday’s incident comes just days before the planned state visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States, adding further urgency to concerns over national security.
