Story perspectives

Gunman Fires at White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Subdued

4/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Cole Tomas Allen opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., was subdued and faces charges.
He emailed a manifesto before the attack that named senior administration officials as targets and voiced anti-Trump grievances.
Investigators say he bought firearms in California, traveled by train to Washington, D.C., and President Donald Trump called him a “sick person,” said he was not alarmed, and condemned the manifesto’s on-air reading.

History

Historical Context

On April 19 1995, anti-government militia members Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols detonated a Ryder truck bomb at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds. They timed the attack for the second anniversary of the 1993 Waco siege, reflecting anger over federal actions at Waco and Ruby Ridge. The bombing spurred the 1996 Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, tightening security around federal facilities.

1 of 2

Story summary

Cole Tomas Allen opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., was subdued and faces charges.
He emailed a manifesto before the attack that named senior administration officials as targets and voiced anti-Trump grievances.
Investigators say he bought firearms in California, traveled by train to Washington, D.C., and President Donald Trump called him a “sick person,” said he was not alarmed, and condemned the manifesto’s on-air reading.

1 / 2