Story perspectives

Suspect Arrested, Pleads Not Guilty After Dinner Shooting

4/28/2026

40 7

Summary

Allen Arrested

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was arrested at the Washington Hilton after the April 25 White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.
Allen faced assassination and firearm charges and entered a not-guilty plea on April 27.
A Secret Service agent was hit but survived because of a bullet-proof vest.
The incident prompted Bruce Springsteen to open his concert with a prayer and prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to post photos of the suspect on Truth Social.

Summary

Trump Evacuated

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner was cancelled after gunfire erupted outside the Washington Hilton ballroom.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were evacuated while a Secret Service agent survived a chest wound because his body armor stopped the bullet.
A 31-year-old assailant breached a security checkpoint, opened fire on agents, and was apprehended after police responded, prompting officials to release video of the rapid response.

History

Historical Context

After Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme’s September 5, 1975 attempt on President Gerald Ford and Sara Jane Moore’s follow-up 17 days later, the Secret Service adopted tighter crowd controls and protective distances. The pattern resurfaced in April 2024 when 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen breached the Washington Hilton checkpoint, wounding an agent whose vest saved his life, prompting another security overhaul.

1 of 3

Allen Arrested

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was arrested at the Washington Hilton after the April 25 White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.
Allen faced assassination and firearm charges and entered a not-guilty plea on April 27.
A Secret Service agent was hit but survived because of a bullet-proof vest.
The incident prompted Bruce Springsteen to open his concert with a prayer and prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to post photos of the suspect on Truth Social.

1 / 3