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2026-04-26 -Land of the Free
Day 2: White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting live updates: Gunman had shotgun, handgun and ‘multiple knives;’ charged with firearms and assault
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 says
Interim 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. # id) ?>
Posted by trailing wife 2026-04-26 2026-04-26 01:53|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [1888 views ]  Top

1 
Videos of the incident are flowing in.

It is clear it was a pre-planned attempt and not a last minute after thought.
Given the shooter, checked into the hotel as a well armed guest prior to the event in DC.

An interesting collection of weapons for a Teacher of the month for C2 Education Dec. 2024 to have. However, the actual execution of the attack wasn't even grade school levels.

Cole Tomas Allen's LinkedIn profile was still open when last checked.
Note the places of employment and etc...


BTW:
Yes! The Left TDS mouthpieces are already trying to pass this off as a possible "Trump Staged" media event.

Posted by NN2N1 2026-04-26 04:11||   2026-04-26 04:11|| Front Page Top

2 it does appear he is a lone actor, a lone gunman

... from California.
Who wrote the script for this puppet.
Posted by Skidmark 2026-04-26 05:46||   2026-04-26 05:46|| Front Page Top

3 As usual the media vultures will 'report' a lot that will be found to be wrong or inaccurate. It'll be a good 48 hours before we get a clearer picture.

Political assassination is wrong regardless of party. I have no doubt a great many people on the left are very unhappy the shooter failed, but they are not thinking things through.

Disclaimer: I have ZERO knowledge of ANY planned assassinations, but I make a prediction: If someone succeeds in assassinating President Trump, we will numerous assassination attempts on prominent left Democrats, some of which will be successful.

Posted by Chantry 2026-04-26 08:43||   2026-04-26 08:43|| Front Page Top

4 The wonderment of ineptitude.
Posted by Skidmark 2026-04-26 08:53||   2026-04-26 08:53|| Front Page Top

5 I'm assuming the 2027 Correspondent's Dinner will not be on the President's 'to do' list ?
Posted by Besoeker 2026-04-26 08:54||   2026-04-26 08:54|| Front Page Top

6 An interesting collection of weapons for a Teacher of the month for C2 Education Dec. 2024 to have. However, the actual execution of the attack wasn't even grade school levels.

He's also apparently a game programmer with a FPS on Steam... no doubt confused his game rules with reality.
Posted by Mercutio 2026-04-26 09:03||   2026-04-26 09:03|| Front Page Top

7 Too bad DC and CA don't have common sense gun control laws to prevent stuff like this. /s

Presumably
Posted by Glenmore 2026-04-26 09:47||   2026-04-26 09:47|| Front Page Top

8 Too bad DC and CA don't have common sense gun control laws to prevent stuff like this. /s

Presumably
Posted by Glenmore 2026-04-26 09:47||   2026-04-26 09:47|| Front Page Top

9 Dunno what glitched on me.

Presumably will be found not guilty by reason of insanity, and the insanity part is probably correct.
Posted by Glenmore 2026-04-26 09:48||   2026-04-26 09:48|| Front Page Top

10 I didn't see the chunky lady agent who couldn't handle her weapon at Butler. Times change.
Posted by Matt 2026-04-26 09:49||   2026-04-26 09:49|| Front Page Top

11 I don't think anybody cares. Butler sure was a relatively quiet "investigation".
Posted by DooDahMan 2026-04-26 09:51||   2026-04-26 09:51|| Front Page Top

12 "Revenge of the Nerds?"
Posted by JohnQC 2026-04-26 10:39||   2026-04-26 10:39|| Front Page Top

13 Right now the headline of the NYT is: "Search For Motive of Gunman Who Charged Press Gala". Gee, maybe he was just dissatisfied with the press coverage of the Boston Red Sox.

Posted by Matt 2026-04-26 10:45||   2026-04-26 10:45|| Front Page Top

14 Boston Red Sox fire manager Alex Cora

The reported firing came hours after Boston's largest margin of victory this season, a 17-1 win over Baltimore
Posted by Skidmark 2026-04-26 11:24||   2026-04-26 11:24|| Front Page Top

15 ^ I had the Mets Manager being fired first
Posted by Frank G 2026-04-26 11:30||   2026-04-26 11:30|| Front Page Top

16 And here's CNN really going out on a limb: "Suspect at White House Correspondents’ Dinner may have been targeting Trump officials, Blanche says"

He's just a suspect, screw the video. And he may or may not have been targeting Trump.
Posted by Matt 2026-04-26 11:30||   2026-04-26 11:30|| Front Page Top

17 It could have been worse, Matt. The description could have been alleged suspect, just to cover the entirety of a very large ass. At any rate, he said he was targetting “Trump officials,” so clearly (!!!) he did not have the president in his sights.
Posted by trailing wife 2026-04-26 11:59||   2026-04-26 11:59|| Front Page Top

18 Hot take: Mechanical engineer degree but a teacher @ age 31? DEI loser. Angry at the world.

Is the federal firing squad taking volunteers? If so need to get some range time.
Posted by Regular joe 2026-04-26 12:00||   2026-04-26 12:00|| Front Page Top

19 The web is full of politicians saying "Violence is never the answer!" What they mean is "Violence is never the answer if it can be blamed on me!"

I expect a Gofundme for this guy to be started any minute now.
Posted by Matt 2026-04-26 12:07||   2026-04-26 12:07|| Front Page Top

20 I had a similar thought. ME degree from Cal Tech, then a masters in CS from some regional CalState university. This guy must have some serious social skills issues to not be fully employed. One neighbor who met him once thought he was on the spectrum (the current way to describe someone who’s overtly weird).
Posted by Remoteman 2026-04-26 13:32||   2026-04-26 13:32|| Front Page Top

21 
As I mentioned in Comment #1
The ANTI-TRUMPS area going full throttle with Memes.
https://9gag.com/interest/usa
Posted by NN2N1 2026-04-26 14:31||   2026-04-26 14:31|| Front Page Top

22 That was the most H&K MP7s I’ve ever seen in one place
Posted by Clem+Elmish4239 2026-04-26 14:45||   2026-04-26 14:45|| Front Page Top

23 CTH Article on Shooter's Manifesto. A really key point, this guy had a hotel room at a the Hilton, which should have been sold out many months in advance for the event. Not cheap and curiously, he checked in, by his own admission, the day before and clearly brought the weapons in his luggage, yet obviously no screening of his luggage was done, the day before the President and Cabinet were to be in a single location, a mandatory National Special Security Event.
What hotel guest screening was done by the USSS, given that he clearly must have booked the reservation months in advance, since his online presence should have had triggering indications that would have marked his as a person of interest. Finally, the suspect was not deceased, not even shot, is very troubling indictment of the USSS marksmanship program to say the least.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Special_Security_Event
Posted by NoMoreBS 2026-04-26 16:26||   2026-04-26 16:26|| Front Page Top

24 ^^^^^

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2026/04/26/attempted-assassin-cole-tomas-allens-manifesto-revealed/comment-page-1/#comments
Posted by NoMoreBS 2026-04-26 16:27||   2026-04-26 16:27|| Front Page Top

25 
Posted by badanov 2026-04-26 16:48||   2026-04-26 16:48|| Front Page Top

26 #23 -A hotel room? I was certain he was staying at DNC headquarters, in the Obama Suite.
Posted by Matt 2026-04-26 19:12||   2026-04-26 19:12|| Front Page Top

03:43 trailing wife
00:29 Clyde Thaviling6482
00:14 Besoeker
00:13 Skidmark
Merry-Go-Blog










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