What we know about suspected White House Correspondents Dinner shooter

Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAYSun, April 26, 2026 at 3:40 AM UTC

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Multiple national media outlets are reporting that Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, is in custody in connection with the April 25 shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner attended by President Donald Trump and the first lady.

The New York Times, CBS, the and other outlets are reporting Allen's name, citing anonymous law enforcement officials. USA TODAY has not independently verified the suspect's name.

President Trump spoke after the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and said one officer was shot but was saved by a bulletproof vest.

United States attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro told reporters the suspect will be arraigned April 27 in federal district court on charges of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. She wouldn’t rule out terrorism charges.

"If there's anything like that we will find it, and we will file it," she said.

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President Trump, who was escorted from the ballroom after shots were heard in the lobby, told reporters that the suspect "charged 50 yards" to bypass a security checkpoint and was carrying multiple weapons.

He posted a security camera video of a person running past security and of a person pinned to the ground.

Video shows armed police at White House Correspondents' Dinner after loud bangs

FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspect was carrying a long arm. According to D.C. police, he was armed with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives. He is believed to be acting alone, officials said.

(This story will be .)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What we know about suspected White House Correspondents Dinner shooter

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