WASHINGTON — Authorities have identified the gunman who opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night as Cole Allen from Torrance, Calif. President Trump described him as a potential “lone wolf whack job” who “looked pretty evil.”
The 31-year-old, confirmed by a federal law enforcement source to be a teacher, was detained after reportedly entering the Washington Hilton hotel and advancing towards the ballroom where Trump and approximately 2,500 attendees were gathered.
The shooting began near the event’s indoor security checkpoint shortly after 8:30 p.m., coinciding with the serving of salads. The Secret Service swiftly evacuated Trump from the room, while his cabinet members took cover beneath tables before also being led to safety.
Allen’s neighbor, identified as Jeff Smith, mentioned to The Post that “maybe he could be on the spectrum.”
Follow The Post’s live updates on the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
A dramatic video shared on social media by Trump shows Allen firing shots and charging toward the ballroom. A law enforcement officer was hit, although the bullet struck his bulletproof vest.
According to DC Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll, “He was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives as he ran into that checkpoint.”
Carroll also noted, “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.”
Following the incident, Trump held a press conference at the White House, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, who seemed emotional when her husband referred to past assassination attempts.
“There was a tremendous amount of love and coming together I watched,” the president remarked. “I was very, very impressed by that.”
Trump disclosed that he heard the gunshots but did not immediately recognize the threat.
“I heard a noise, and thought it was a tray going down,” he explained. “We heard that noise, and it was either a tray or a bullet. I was hoping it was a tray.”
The president promised to headline a new correspondents’ dinner within 30 days and to revise his prepared speech, which he intended to use to critique reporters.
Trump commended White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang for her leadership and expressed a desire to continue the event before being encouraged to leave.
“I fought like hell to stay,” Trump stated. “They said, ‘Please, sir,’ because they didn’t know … there was a lot of action going on, and they didn’t know.”
Trump affirmed his commitment to his assertive political approach.
“A lot of other people, you know, you read stories when they become basket cases, to be honest with you. I’m not a basket case,” Trump asserted.
“I want to live because I want to make this country great. That’s why I want to live. When you’re impactful, they go after you.”
The president refrained from answering a question about how the weapons were brought into the hotel.
Guests were required to pass through an initial security perimeter, presenting either a ticket or an invitation to a pre-party. However, weapons screening was only conducted immediately before entering the ballroom.
A witness reported to The Post that the suspect seemed to emerge from a “makeshift room” near the entrance where bar carts were stored, an area lacking security at the time.
“He was in that room […] he grabbed it out of a bag or something,” said Helen Mabus, a volunteer at the event, noting that the weapon “was long” and “didn’t look like a typical gun.”
Witnesses described a chaotic scene inside the venue following seven to eight shots. Attendees dove under tables as confusion spread. One journalist recounted that guests “crawled under our table for what felt like a long time.”
President Donald Trump commended law enforcement for their swift response.
“Quite an evening in DC Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely,” Trump posted on Truth Social, sharing a photo of the suspect.
“The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON,’ but will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement,” he added.
Law enforcement is expected to search the suspect’s residence in Torrance, as stated by the president.
Trump also mentioned that a Secret Service agent was shot at close range but is expected to recover.
The annual event has been postponed and will be rescheduled within 30 days, according to Trump.
