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.