President says he “fought like hell to stay” as Secret Service stops armed attacker; suspect identified with engineering background and federal charges filed.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump addressed reporters Saturday night at the White House after being evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner following multiple gunshots outside the Washington Hilton ballroom.
U.S. Secret Service agents hustled Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other senior officials from the event as shots were fired during the annual gathering.
Trump told reporters the suspect had been stopped by Secret Service personnel after charging a security checkpoint with multiple weapons.
“To see a man charge at a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons — and he was taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service, and they acted very quickly,” Trump said, appearing alongside Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel. He added he ordered video and photos from the incident to be released.
The president’s remarks were captured in a video here.
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Authorities later confirmed that the suspect faces federal charges. Jeanine Pirro announced in a separate briefing that the alleged gunman has been charged with “using a firearm during a crime of violence” and “assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.” Additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.
Pirro stated that a uniformed Secret Service officer was shot during the incident but is expected to recover. She said the available evidence indicates the suspect “was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could.”
A video of Pirro’s remarks can be viewed here.
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According to officials, the shooting occurred at a checkpoint just outside the ballroom entrance, where thousands of attendees had gathered. Law enforcement officials said the checkpoint likely prevented further casualties by stopping the suspect before he could enter the main event space.
“I, for the first time, was in a situation where there were shots fired, shots heard, and a whole room went silent,” Pirro said. “When I lifted my head and when I looked up, every law enforcement officer was out there as we all had our heads down. Thousands of them.”
Trump emphasized that he had initially wanted to remain at the event and continue with his planned remarks but ultimately complied with Secret Service protocol.
“We’re going to reschedule. We’re going to do it again. We’re not going to let anybody take over our society,” Trump said. “We wanted to stay tonight. I will tell you, I fought like hell to stay, but it was protocol.”
Earlier in the evening, Trump posted on Truth Social that the suspect had been apprehended and praised the response from security personnel, stating, “They acted quickly and bravely.”
Witnesses described hearing several loud bangs before Secret Service agents entered the ballroom with weapons drawn, ordering attendees to take cover. Trump and Melania Trump had been speaking with entertainer Oz Pearlman, who was scheduled to host the event, when the shots were fired.
Journalists reported that the ballroom quickly descended into confusion as guests ducked beneath tables and security forces moved to secure the area. Washington Times reporter Jeff Mordock said Secret Service agents “rushed the press pool out of the room” while armed personnel surrounded the stage.
Cabinet officials and other high-ranking attendees were also evacuated. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was seen limping after the incident, according to accounts from the scene.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were moved out of the room by Secret Service agents as a precaution. Witnesses described attendees ducking beneath tables while armed personnel entered and secured the area.
In a statement shared on Truth Social, Trump said the situation had been brought under control and confirmed that a suspect had been apprehended.
“They acted quickly and bravely,” he wrote, referring to the Secret Service and law enforcement response. “The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON’ but will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement.”
Authorities said the suspect was taken into custody after being subdued by Secret Service agents. Officials noted that the attacker was not fatally wounded during the confrontation and was transported to a hospital.
Trump later described the suspect as a “lone wolf” and a “very sick person.”
The Washington Hilton has historical significance as the site of the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, which occurred outside the hotel following a speaking engagement.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which brings together journalists, government officials, and public figures, had only just begun when the shooting occurred. Trump had been scheduled to deliver remarks at the event, marking his first attendance during his current term.
The president referenced the incident in additional Truth Social posts and follow-up messages, reiterating his support for law enforcement and commitment to rescheduling the event.
Additional social media reports documented the unfolding situation, including a post from journalist Gary Collins stating that a shooting had occurred and that the president and first lady were escorted out. Another report indicated that Secret Service cleared the room and removed attendees.
The incident also affected individuals attending the event, including Erika Kirk, who was seen visibly distressed while leaving the venue. In a video posted online, Kirk was heard saying, “I just want to go home,” as she was escorted out. Her appearance came months after the death of her husband, Charlie Kirk, in a separate incident.
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Authorities and multiple reports have identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California, following his arrest after the shooting. According to reporting from multiple outlets, including several, the suspect allegedly rushed the checkpoint with multiple weapons before opening fire.
Allen was subdued by agents and taken into custody without being shot.
Investigators say Allen has a background in engineering and computer science. Records indicate he attended the California Institute of Technology, graduating in 2017 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He later enrolled at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where he earned a master’s degree in computer science in 2025.
According to publicly available profiles, Allen previously worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a summer research fellow and later developed independent video games, including a physics-based title described as combining racing mechanics with shooter elements. He also worked as an educator with C2 Education.
Federal Election Commission records show Allen donated $25 to Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle.
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