WHCA dinner shooting timeline: Suspect captured trying to get in
During the 2026 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton, a shooting occurred outside the ballroom as guests were seated. The suspect, Cole Allen, attempted to breach security with multiple weapons but was stopped by Secret Service agents after exchanging gunfire. One officer was injured but protected by a bulletproof vest, and the president, first lady, and other officials were safely evacuated. Allen was arrested and charged with attempted assassination of the president and other federal crimes.
- ▪The suspect, Cole Allen of California, was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives when he tried to enter the event.
- ▪Secret Service agents exchanged gunfire with Allen, preventing him from entering the ballroom and apprehending him at the scene.
- ▪A Uniformed Division Secret Service officer was shot but survived due to wearing a bulletproof vest.
- ▪President Donald Trump, the first lady, Vice President JD Vance, and cabinet members were safely evacuated and unharmed.
- ▪Allen was charged with attempted assassination of the president, firearm use during a crime of violence, and other federal offenses.
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ABC NewsLiveVideoShowsShopInterest Successfully AddedWe'll notify you here with news aboutTurn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? OffOnStream onWhite House correspondents' dinner shooting: Timeline of chaosThe suspect was identified as Cole Allen, 31, of California, officials said.ByBill HutchinsonApril 27, 2026, 5:53 PM36:58Secret Service agents surround President Donald Trump as mentalist, Oz Pearlman stands behind him before he was taken from the stage after a shooting incident outside the ballroom during the White House Correspondents Dinner, April 25, 2026, in Washington.Alex Brandon/APMoments after the head of the White House Correspondents Association welcomed President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump to its annual dinner to celebrate journalism on Saturday evening, gunshots sounded outside the doors of the Washington Hilton Hotel's International Ballroom.Within seconds, the festive occasion attended by more than 2,000 journalists, government officials and other newsmakers erupted in chaos, as Secret Service agents hustled Trump and the first lady off stage.First Lady Melania Trump and U.S. President Donald Trump attend the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner, April 25, 2026, in Washington, DC.Nathan Howard/Getty ImagesUnbeknownst to those inside the ballroom, an alleged gunman, later identified by authorities as 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California, had bolted through a security checkpoint and past Secret Service agents in an attempt to get into the event and perpetrate "as much damage as he could," sources told ABC News.Allen -- allegedly armed with a shotgun and other weapons -- was taken down and arrested before he could enter the ballroom after officials said he exchanged shots with Secret Service agents. During the incident, a Uniformed Division Secret Service officer was hit, but whose life was saved by his bulletproof vest, officials said.Here is a timeline of events leading up to Saturday night's shooting and its unfolding aftermath:7 p.m. ET -- Guests, dressed in tuxedos and ballgowns, walk the red carpet outside the ballroom, taking pictures and conducting interviews. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tells C-SPAN, which was broadcasting the event live, "It's one night in which a lot of people that maybe don't see each other every day get to see each other."Suspect’s path through Washington Hilton hotel at White House Correspondents’ DinnerWashington Hilton8:13 p.m. -- Members of the White House Correspondents Association board of directors and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt step up to the head table and dais at the front of the ballroom.8:15 p.m. -- Vice President JD Vance is introduced and takes his place on the dais.8:16 p.m. -- "Ladies and gentlemen, the 45th and 47th president of the United States, Donald J. Trump and first lady Melania Trump," an announcer says over the loudspeaker as the U.S. Marine Band, also on stage, plays "Hail to the Chief."Secret service agents respond during the White House Correspondents Dinner, April 25, 2026, in Washington.Tom Brenner/AP8:17 p.m. -- The Joint Armed Forces Color Guard marches up to the stage to present the U.S. flag, followed by the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Bennear.8:20 p.m. -- Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents' Association and CBS's senior White House correspondent, gives opening remarks, thanking Trump and the first lady…
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