White House Event Shooting Live: Suspect wrote anti-Christian manifesto, Trump says

Former US President Barack Obama has condemned the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, calling for a firm rejection of political violence in American democracy.

In a post on X, Obama said that while the motive behind the attack remains unclear, “it’s incumbent upon all of us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy.” He described the incident as a sobering reminder of the risks faced by security personnel.

Obama also praised the US Secret Service for their response, highlighting their “courage and sacrifice” in protecting public officials. He expressed gratitude to the agents and noted relief that the officer injured in the shooting is expected to recover.

Authorities identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, a resident of Torrance, California. He is described as a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer who has expressed opposition to Trump’s policies.

Allen was taken into custody at the venue on Saturday night. A social media profile believed to belong to him indicates he had been working part-time for the past six years at a firm providing admissions counseling and test preparation services for college applicants.

The suspect’s manifesto also reflected strong ideological views, including criticism of religion. Speaking on Fox News’ "Sunday Briefing," US President Donald Trump said, "When you read his manifesto, he hates Christians." 

According to an official cited by Reuters, the manifesto included pointed criticism framed in moral terms. "Turning the other cheek when someone else is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor’s crimes," the document read, as per the official.

Neighbours in the suspect’s area said unusual coverings were seen on the windows of the home where Cole Allen lived with his parents, with black fabric draped outside and foil visible from inside the garage, according to BBC. Some residents said they had not noticed the setup before. “It’s definitely not normal for the neighborhood,” said Vince Terrazzino, adding, “Nothing ever happens here,” as FBI agents went door to door but declined to comment.

The suspected gunman is currently being held at a Metropolitan Police Department station in north-west Washington, DC, according to law enforcement sources cited by CBS News. He is expected to be moved later today to a detention facility in the south-east of the capital, before being presented in federal court on Monday.

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles III will proceed with his planned state visit to the United States following discussions between officials on both sides of the Atlantic. 

In a statement, the palace said: “The King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case, and are looking forward to the visit getting under way tomorrow.” The King and Queen Camilla are scheduled to travel for a four-day visit beginning Monday, which includes a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

Law enforcement officials investigating Cole Tomas Allen—the suspect in custody following Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner—have traced the origins of the firearms used in the attack. According to ATF records, Allen legally purchased a .38-calibre semi-automatic pistol on October 6, 2023, from a Southern California retailer, followed by a 12-gauge shotgun on August 17, 2025, in his hometown of Torrance.

In both instances, the purchases were made through licensed dealers, requiring Allen to pass the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System. These checks confirmed at the time that he was not a convicted felon, under a restraining order, or a fugitive, allowing the transactions to proceed legally.

(Inputs from CNN)

White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang said the organisation’s board will meet to review the shooting incident at the Washington Hilton and decide on next steps, following a chaotic night that disrupted the annual dinner. 

"We will provide updates as soon as any are available," Jiang said in a statement. President Donald Trump said he hopes to reschedule the event within 30 days. Jiang reiterated the purpose of the gathering, saying, "Our dinner exists to celebrate the First Amendment and the hard daily work of the journalists who defend it," and praised attendees for their response, adding they showed "calm and courage" as events unfolded. She described the shooting as a "harrowing moment" and thanked authorities for safeguarding thousands of guests.
 

Republican Congressman Michael McCaul has urged Congress to act quickly to fund the Department of Homeland Security following the shooting scare at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, warning that the incident underlines urgent security gaps. Speaking to CNN, McCaul said, “This highlights the urgency,” as he pushed for immediate legislative action. 

A member of the House Homeland Security Committee, he also raised concerns about security protocols at high-profile events, suggesting officials should reconsider having multiple figures in the presidential line of succession in one place and called for a stronger security perimeter if the event is held again.

The Overnight House Committee has asked for a briefing from the US Secret Service after the attack took place at the White House Dinner event earlier on Sunday (as per the Indian Standard Time).

(Inputs from CNN)

The US President, Donald Trump, appreciated the efforts of the Secret Service to keep people safe during the shooting incident at the Washington Hilton hotel. 

While talking about the shooter who opened fire during the White House Correspondents' dinner event, US President Donald Trump said that he was a sick guy and that can be understood by reading his manifesto.

Trump also mentioned in his interview with Fox News that the attacker also hated Christians.

(Inputs from Reuters)

Describing the incident of the Washington Hill shooting, Donald Trump said that the shooter, Cole Tomas Allen, had a lot of hatred in his mind for a long period of time.

(Reuters inputs)

US President Donald Trump said that Cole Tomas Allen, the man who opened fire during the White House Correspondents' dinner, was stopped before coming close to entering the ballroom. 

(Inputs from Reuters)

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said a night meant to celebrate free speech at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was disrupted by a “depraved crazy person” who tried to assassinate President Donald Trump and target senior officials. In a post on X, she said she was backstage with Trump and First Lady Melania Trump when Secret Service agents rushed them to safety. Leavitt described Trump as “truly fearless” and echoed his call to end political violence, while thanking law enforcement for their response, including the agent who took a bullet to the chest.

Following the attacks on the Washington Hilton hotel, US Democrat Hakeem Jeffries said people should never resort to violence over their disagreements. 

"Violence is never the answer whether it is targeted at the right, the left or the center," as reported by CNN.

US President Donald Trump advocated for a ballroom to be built on the grounds of the White House after the shooting occurred at the Washington Hilton Hotel where the annual White House dinner was ongoing. 

"What happened last night is exactly the reason that our great Military, Secret Service, Law Enforcement and, for different reasons, every President for the last 150 years, have been DEMANDING that a large, safe, and secure Ballroom be built ON THE GROUNDS OF THE WHITE HOUSE. This event would never have happened with the Militarily Top Secret Ballroom currently under construction at the White House. It cannot be built fast enough! While beautiful, it has every highest level security feature there is plus, there are no rooms sitting on top for unsecured people to pour in, and is inside the gates of the most secure building in the World, The White House. The ridiculous Ballroom lawsuit, brought by a woman walking her dog, who has absolutely No Standing to bring such a suit, must be dropped, immediately. Nothing should be allowed to interfere with its construction, which is on budget and substantially ahead of schedule!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter," Trump wrote it on Truth Social. 

8:35 p.m. ET: Guests at the Washington Hilton dinner took cover when shots were heard. A sole gunman had rushed a Secret Service checkpoint in a lobby, Washington, DC.

9:17 p.m. ET: Trump made his first comments after the shooting, saying law enforcement "acted quickly and bravely." Trump posted on Truth Social that "the shooter has been apprehended."

9:37 p.m ET: Trump posted again saying law enforcement asked him and others to leave the premises of the venue and that he was complying with that request. The event will be rescheduled "within 30 days," Trump said.

10:30 p.m. ET: Trump addressed the media in a press conference at the White House. Trump and other law enforcement officials said preliminary information suggested the suspect was a lone shooter.

11:13 p.m. ET: Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, told reporters the suspect was being charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.

The suspect arrested in the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old man from Torrance, California. Allen is a graduate of the California Institute of Technology, with social media and professional profiles indicating he worked as a part-time teacher and independent game developer. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Caltech in 2017 and a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2025. Read more here. 

According to CNN, the mayor of Torrance, California, condemned the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, saying the alleged gunman’s actions do not reflect the values of the city. Law enforcement identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, a Torrance resident. â€œTonight, our community joins the nation in condemning the violent incident that occurred in Washington, DC," CNN quoted mayor George K Chen as saying. 

In a government press release, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday condemned the attack at the White House correspondents' dinner in Washington DC. "There is no place for violence, not against political leaders and not against anyone. This includes not only the United States; it includes, first and foremost, the State of Israel, from within," the government release read. The Israeli PM also said that he and his wife were glad that US President Donald Trump, his wife, and senior government officials emerged unharmed.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said discussions would take place with US authorities to determine whether Sunday's shooting would affect planning for King Charles' state visit to the US this week. Meanwhile, Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said he was confident that King Charles would be safe during his state visit to the United States.

The US Attorney General told NBC News that the suspect will face charges that include assault of a federal officer, discharging a firearm and attempting to kill a federal officer.

US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday said that the alleged shooter was targeting Trump administration officials. "It does appear that he, he did, in fact, have set out to target folks that work in the administration, likely including the president," Blanche told NBC news' "Meet the press." He added that the suspect likely travelled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then to Washington, DC. 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack during the White House correspondents' dinner in Washington DC. She said she spoke to US President Donald Trump and reiterated that political violence had no place in a democracy. 

While analysts told Reuters that it is too early to say whether there were any law enforcement failures or miscommunications, the incident, they said, suggests even the nation's most comprehensive personal security apparatus has points of vulnerability. Saturday's incident comes less than two years after a pair of assassination attempts against Trump during the presidential campaign in 2024. 

A viral video from the White House Correspondents' Dinner shows a man continuing to eat as reports of gunshots sparked panic nearby. Read more. 

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday condemned the shooting at the White House correspondents' dinner, stating that violence has no place in a democracy. 

UK PM Keir Starmer has reacted to the shooting incident in Washington DC, saying that he is relieved that US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania were safe. 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was relieved to hear that US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and attendees at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner are safe. She said violence has no place in politics and thanked police and emergency responders for their swift action in ensuring the safety of guests.

FBI agents secured a residence in Torrance linked to the alleged White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooter, setting up an investigation perimeter as media gathered outside and authorities expanded the probe.

The accused, Allen, contributed $25 to a Democratic Party political action committee supporting Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, according to federal campaign finance records.

Allen, 31, earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2017 from California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. He listed his involvement in a Christian student fellowship as well as a campus group that engaged in Nerf gun activities during his time at the institute.

Social media posts appearing to match the California man arrested in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting suggest he is a highly educated tutor and an amateur video game developer, as investigators continue to build a profile of the suspect.

The shooting at the White House Dinner event triggered a political flashpoint between the Republicans and the Democrats, with Laura Loomer claiming that the attacker contributed to Kamala Harris' electoral campaign in 2024. 

She also said that the attacker was a brown/black-skinned democrat from California.

Read More at: https://indiatoday.tech/world/us-news/story/white-house-dinner-shooting-cole-tomas-allen-donald-trump-jd-vance-2901673-2026-04-26

The attacker, who attempted to breach security at the White House Dinner event, has been identified as Cole Tommas Allen, a 31-year-old man from Torrance. 

Read more at: Who is Cole Tommas Allen, 31-year-old who opened fire at White House event?

The attacker, identified as Cole Tommas Allen, targeted Donald Trump officials in the White House event shooting, a latest report by CBS News confirms. 

The report said that the attacker admitted to the US officials that he intended to attack people from the Donald Trump administration. 

The development came hours after the US Police said that they were working to ascertain the motives of the identified killer.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was relieved to learn that US President Donald Trump, the First Lady and the Vice President are safe following the security incident at a Washington DC hotel. Modi extended his best wishes for their continued safety and well-being, adding that violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned.

The suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting is being charged with two counts, the US Attorney said, as the investigation into the incident continues. Authorities are proceeding with legal action while examining evidence and witness accounts linked to the attack.

US President Donald Trump said the White House Correspondents’ Dinner venue was “not a particularly secure building,” stressing the need for enhanced protection measures. He pointed to plans for a more secure facility at the White House, featuring drone-proofing and bulletproof glass, and reiterated the need for a “war room” with higher security standards. Trump said such upgrades are being demanded by the Secret Service and the military, adding that modern threats require levels of security “nobody’s ever seen before.”

FBI Director Kash Patel said agents have launched a full investigation into the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, examining ballistics evidence including a long gun and shell casings recovered from the scene. He praised Secret Service personnel for swiftly subduing the suspect and protecting attendees, adding that the FBI was rapidly deployed in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and the Metropolitan Police Department. Patel said witness interviews are underway and urged the public to share any information, stressing that “no piece of information is too small,” while directing tips to 1-800-CALL-FBI.

US President Donald Trump said the shooting incident will not deter him from pursuing victory in the ongoing Iran war, asserting that his administration remains focused on its objectives despite the security scare.

US President Donald Trump said “I guess” when asked whether he was the intended target of a man who charged a security checkpoint during the White House Correspondents’ Association annual dinner.

US President Donald Trump said he does not think the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting is linked to the Iran conflict, responding “don’t think so” when asked. He said the attacker was “probably a lone shooter” and a “lone wolf actor,” adding that authorities will confirm details. Trump maintained the room was “very secure” and said he does not need to rethink indoor events. Asked if he was the target, he replied, “I guess.”

US President Donald Trump said the suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting has been captured, adding that authorities are conducting searches at locations linked to him, including an apartment in California. Calling the attacker a “sick person,” Trump also said the event will be held again within the next 30 days, promising it will be “bigger, better, and even nicer.”

US President Donald Trump said an armed man charged a security checkpoint during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, carrying multiple weapons before being taken down by Secret Service personnel. He added that one officer was shot during the confrontation but was saved by a protective vest. Trump said he had spoken to the officer, who is “doing great,” crediting the quick response of security forces.

US President Donald Trump said the venue of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is “not a particularly secure building,” stressing the need for stronger protective measures. He pointed to planned upgrades at the White House, including drone-proofing and bulletproof glass, adding that such measures are being demanded by the Secret Service and the military to enhance security against evolving threats.

US President Donald Trump said the United States has faced repeated threats in recent years from individuals attempting acts of violence, adding that the country must remain resilient. “This is not the first time in the past couple of years that our Republic has been attacked by a would-be assassin who sought to kill,” he said. In light of the latest incident, Trump urged citizens to come together, asking all Americans to “recommit with their hearts” to resolving differences peacefully.

US President Donald Trump said the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting appears to involve a lone attacker, though investigations are ongoing to confirm details. He added that the suspect has been “totally subdued” by security forces. Trump also said one officer was shot during the incident but is in “great shape,” indicating no life-threatening injuries.

 A man armed with multiple weapons wearing a bulletproof vest charged a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, wounding a law enforcement officer, President Donald Trump said.

US President Donald Trump has appealed to Americans to resolve their differences peacefully, stressing the need for calm and unity in the wake of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner incident. 

The first image of the alleged shooter from the White House Correspondents' Dinner has surfaced, showing a body lying on a staircase at the Washington Hilton surrounded by law enforcement personnel. Security agencies, including the Secret Service, swiftly rushed US President Donald Trump and other officials off the dais after gunfire erupted inside the venue. Authorities confirmed that the suspected shooter was neutralised at the scene, with no injuries reported to the president or other VIPs.

US President Donald Trump has announced that he will hold a press conference at the White House briefing room shortly, saying in a post on Truth Social that he would speak “in 30 minutes.” Trump had earlier indicated that he wanted the White House Correspondents' Dinner to continue, but later said law enforcement requested the ballroom be cleared for investigation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the president will address the media from the briefing room.