See Day 1 here. Leaving this as War on Terror as we wait to learn what affiliations Mr. Allen has, if any.
[NYPost] Summary as of 12:37 a.m. EDT: President Trump, first lady Melania Trump and his cabinet were evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington Saturday night after gunfire erupted, sending attendees ducking for cover.The shooter — blasted by Trump as a “sick” individual — was armed with multiple weapons and was swiftly detained, with shocking photos showing the shirtless suspect sprawled face down on the floor of the Washington Hilton. He was charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and one count for assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
He was identified as Cole Allen, a 31-year-old teacher from Torrance, Calif. He was taken into custody after opening fire near the event’s main security screening area just after 8:30 p.m.
The president was slated to join journalists and high-profile administration members for the annual WHCD bash, with Trump giving the traditional speech later in the evening.
The event has been postponed.
A few key posts from the liveblog:
WHCD shooter had shotgun, handgun and 'multiple knives,' DC police chief saysInterim DC police chief Jeffrey Carroll confirmed Saturday that the White House Correspondents' Dinner gunman was armed with multiple weapons.
“He was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives as he ran into that checkpoint,“ Carroll said.
“But at this point it does appear he is a lone actor, a lone gunman. There does not appear to be any sort of danger to the public. “
Police visit California home of alleged White House Correspondents' Dinner gunman Cole Allen
Neighbor of alleged WHCD shooter suggests he was 'on the spectrum'
WHCD gunman was 'guest' at Washington hotel
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser confirms Secret Service agent, gunman both at hospital
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed that both a Secret Service agent and the gunman who stormed into the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday have been transported to the hospital.
“A sole gunman rushed a secret service checkpoint in a lobby at the hotel. Secret Service agents stopped the suspect,” said Bowser.
“An agent was injured and transported to a local hospital where the agent is receiving care. The suspect is also transported to a local hospital where he is being evaluated,” she added.
“We had no reason to believe at this time that anyone else was involved.”
Gunman at White House Correspondents’ Dinner identified as California teacher
The gunman who opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, on Saturday night has been identified as Cole Allen of Torrance, Calif. The 31-year-old, who federal law enforcement source confirmed is a teacher, was in custody after gunfire broke out near the event’s main security screening area just after 8:30 p.m. Allen appeared to assemble a “long” weapon in a lightly monitored area near the terrace-level entrance before opening fire and rushing toward the ballroom.
Video: Moment shooter rushes lobby of White House Correspondents' Dinner
Secret Service says Trump, first lady safe after shooting; one suspect in custody
The Secret Service confirmed President Trump and first lady Melania Trump are safe following the shooting near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, saying one suspect has been taken into custody.
Excellent work Secret Service and other Law Enforcement elements. You've saved him yet again.
“The president and the first lady are safe along with all protectees,” Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.
Officials said the shooting took place near the main magnetometer screening area at the Washington Hilton, where guests pass through security before entering the event.
“One individual is in custody,” the statement said, adding that “the condition of those involved is not yet known.”
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident alongside the Metropolitan Police Department, with teams “on the ground assessing the situation,” Guglielmi said.
The Secret Service added it will “provide updates as they become available” as the situation develops.
Officer struck in vest during shooting outside White House Correspondents' Dinner: report
Hot Air has more here.
Accused DC dinner attacker is tutor and computer programmer from California
[IsraelTimes] Social media posts that appear to match the Caliphornia, an impregnable bastion of the Democratic Party, man arrested in the shooting at the White House correspondents’ dinner show he is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer.
A May 2025 profile photo of Cole Tomas Allen of Torrence, California, appears to match the appearance of the man in a photo of the alleged attacker being taken into custody that was posted by US President Donald Trump
...The Hero of Butler, Pennsylvania...
. The photo, posted to the social networking site LinkedIn, shows him in a cap and gown after graduating with a master’s degree in computer science from California State University-Dominguez Hills.
Allen, 31, earned a bachelor’s degree in 2017 in mechanical engineering from California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. He listed his involvement there in a Christian student fellowship and a campus group that battled with Nerf guns.
A local ABC station in Los Angeles included an interview with Allen during his senior year of college as part of a story about new technologies to help people as they age. He had developed a prototype for a new type of emergency brake for wheelchairs.
Allen contributed $25 to a Democratic Party political action committee in support of Kamala Harris
launched her campaign on the “RuPaul’s Drag Race”for president in 2024, according to federal campaign finance records.
Allen’s online resume says he worked for the last six years at C2 Education, a company that offers admissions counseling and test preparation services to aspiring college students. A 2024 post on the company’s Facebook page listed Allen as the company’s teacher of the month. The company did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Allen also posted that he had developed a video game for the Steam platform based on molecular chemistry. A post under Allen’s name said he was working to develop a new "top-down shooter" combat game set in outer space.
DC gala shooting suspect told law enforcement he was targeting Trump officials
[IsraelTimes] The man who allegedly carried out a shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, which US President Donald Trump attended, told law enforcement following his arrest that he wanted to shoot Trump administration officials, CBS News reports, citing two sources.