According to reports, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California has been taken into custody after a shooting incident occurred during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night.
No official updates have yet been issued by the Secret Service or related law enforcement agencies. However, details from sources align on the shooter being a male in his thirties from the Los Angeles vicinity.
Video footage captured at the scene shows a disheveled man in handcuffs, lying face down on the ground, surrounded by law enforcement. Multiple media outlets and the U.S. Secret Service have confirmed that the shooter was detained.
At least six shots were fired during this alarming event, one of which impacted a Secret Service agent’s chest plate, prompting agents to return fire and secure the area.
As of now, it remains uncertain whether the shooter sustained any injuries from the exchange of gunfire.
Additional confirmation from Washington Post correspondent John Hudson indicates that the gunman is alive and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Hudson also reported that a Secret Service agent has been injured in the incident.
Video of alleged shooter on the ground at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, reportedly he is 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California.pic.twitter.com/o6Lb0H1HnH
— Defiant L’s (@DefiantLs) April 26, 2026
The alarming event transpired near the magnetometer screening area outside the ballroom, with shots reported around 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Witnesses noted the immediate reaction as Secret Service agents rushed in, shouting warnings, while guests sought cover beneath tables.
Despite President Trump expressing a desire to proceed, the event was ultimately canceled.
The Secret Service has issued a statement confirming the active investigation into the shooting incident near the main screening area. They reassured the public that the president and first lady are safe, along with other dignitaries, and confirmed that one individual is in custody.
An FBI contact shared with Reuters that the shooter seemed to have used a shotgun during the incident.
President Trump took to Truth Social to express his appreciation for the swift action taken by law enforcement. He stated, “The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON’ but will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement.”
Trump was secured in a safe location before returning to the White House and is anticipated to hold a press conference shortly.
