This Saturday, an armed individual entered the hotel which hosted the dinner of the Correspondents’ Association (WHCA, White House Correspondents’ Association) from the White House. The man fired several shots, targeting Donald Trump among others: the latter and his relatives were quickly evacuated.
THE April 25, 2026in the hotel that hosted the annual WHCA dinner, shots ring out. The president Donald Trump was then present for the first time at the event. THE presidentthere First ladyTHE vice-president and the members of the cabinet were quickly evacuated. The suspect was reportedly apprehended shortly after. Here’s what we know.
What happened?
Gunshots
It was around 9 p.m. at the hotel hosting the event when the evening was abruptly interrupted. An individual entered the hotel and fired several shots into the room adjacent to the reception room. In the room, the guests threw themselves to the ground at the sound of the explosions.
The evacuation of the president and members of the administration
From the first alerts, the agents of the Secret Service jumped onto the stage to protect Donald Trump. The president, who was seated alongside the vice-president J.D. Vance and the First Lady Melania Trumpwas evacuated in seconds.
Suspect apprehended, scene sealed off
Thanks to the responsiveness of the units on site, the suspect was neutralized before being able to enter the reception room. The man, described as a “lone wolf” by Donald Trumpwas arrested in possession of several firearms. The hotel was completely sealed off by the FBI and the local police to ensure that no accomplices were present. The perimeter remained inaccessible for much of the night for the purposes of the investigation.
The suspect arrested is a 31-year-old man named Cole Tomas Allen. In a manifest sent to his loved ones before the attack, the latter explains his motivations. He reportedly said he aimed to assassinate the president and members of the administration.
The president speaks
Just two hours after the incident, Donald Trump spoke. He speaks quickly on the channel 60 Minutes. He praised at length the heroism of the agents of the Secret Service. The president wanted to reassure the nation about his state of mind. “ I wasn’t worried » (“ I wasn’t worried “), he declares. He concluded by announcing that the dinner, although interrupted, would be rescheduled soon.
The investigation is now continuing to determine the exact motivations of the suspect. The latter should be charged on Monday for assault of a federal agent And use of a firearm during a violent crime.
