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Gunman Shoots Agent Outside Hilton Correspondents’ Dinner, Arrested

4/27/2026

41 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A gunman opened fire outside the Hilton ballroom during the Correspondents’ Dinner, injuring an agent.
President Donald Trump evacuated the venue after the shooting.
Police arrested 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California, and charged him federally with firearm use and assault on a federal officer.
Allen’s manifesto called Trump a pedophile, rapist and traitor, prompting Trump to label CBS anchor Norah O'Donnell a disgrace.

History

Historical Context

On September 5 1975, Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme pointed a Colt .45 at President Gerald Ford in Sacramento, but Secret Service agent Larry Buendorf stopped the gun. Five decades later, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen fired eight shots at President Donald Trump during the 2024 Hilton ballroom event, prompting evacuation. Both attacks illustrate the persistent threat to U.S. presidents and the Secret Service’s tightening of venue security.

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Story summary

A gunman opened fire outside the Hilton ballroom during the Correspondents’ Dinner, injuring an agent.
President Donald Trump evacuated the venue after the shooting.
Police arrested 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California, and charged him federally with firearm use and assault on a federal officer.
Allen’s manifesto called Trump a pedophile, rapist and traitor, prompting Trump to label CBS anchor Norah O'Donnell a disgrace.

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