Chicago – April 27, 2026
A man accused of opening fire near the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner has been charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, federal prosecutors said Monday. Authorities identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, and said the case is being handled in federal court in Washington.
According to reports from AP and other major outlets, Allen was stopped after gunshots were fired near the hotel’s security checkpoint, forcing Trump to be rushed out of the event and sending guests under tables. Prosecutors said he faces multiple charges, including attempted assassination, firearms offenses and assault on a federal officer.
Officials have said the investigation is still ongoing, and the suspect’s motive has not been fully established. However, prosecutors indicated he may have been targeting the president and other senior administration officials present at the dinner. The suspect will remain in custody as the case proceeds.
The incident has renewed concerns about security at major political gatherings in Washington, where the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies are now reviewing how the attack was intercepted before it reached the ballroom.
