Trump rushed off stage after press dinner shooting (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
US President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other senior officials were rushed from the room by the security detail after several shots were fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
The scramble came after an armed suspect – later identified as 31-year-old California-based teacher Cole Tomas Allen – attempted to break through a Secret Service checkpoint at the Washington Hilton hotel.
The suspect and security exchanged fire, after which he was apprehended. One Secret Service agent was hit by a bullet, but avoided major injury due to his ballistic vest, according to media reports.
The motives of the suspect are so far unclear, though CBS News reported that Allen told law enforcement that he wanted to attack Trump officials.
Trump praised the Secret Service for doing a “fantastic job,” adding that “they acted quickly and bravely” and all officials were safe. He also described the presidency as a “dangerous profession,” saying “no country is immune” to political violence.
26 April 2026
06:41 GMTThe Secret Service agent injured in the attack has been released from the hospital, NBC reports, citing a source. Trump earlier said the officer was hit by a bullet but was likely saved by his ballistic vest.
- 06:12 GMT
The DC police have said the suspect apparently acted alone, adding that two firearms and multiple knives have been recovered.
- 05:39 GMT
The suspected shooter, Cole Allen, has told law enforcement that he wanted to attack Trump officials, CBS News reports, citing two sources.
- 05:39 GMT
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said she was relieved to learn that Trump and the first lady “are doing well after the recent events.”
“We send our respect. Violence should never be the way,” she added.
- 05:25 GMT
Videos on social media show a heavy police presence in Torrance, California, the home town of suspected shooter Cole Allen.
🚨🇺🇸BREAKING: Heavy police presence reported in Torrance, California, hometown of the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooter Cole Tomas Allen.Black SUVs swarming the area.pic.twitter.com/ROen987W36https://t.co/pEKm8otaWF
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 26, 2026 - 05:10 GMT
A video posted by CBS News anchor Tony Dokoupil shows senior staff and Cabinet members being evacuated from the venue, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Alina Habba, Todd Blanche, Stephen Miller, Katie Miller, and Pete Hegseth.
Attendees can be heard shouting “God bless America” and “USA, USA” as the group is escorted out.
View from the ground as Trump senior staff and cabinet members evacuated tonight, including Kennedy, Blanche, Stephen and Katie Miller, and Pete Hegseth. pic.twitter.com/p70geTnIF4
— Tony Dokoupil (@tonydokoupil) April 26, 2026 - 04:57 GMT
Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk – executive director of Turning Point USA and a prominent supporter of Donald Trump, who was shot and killed at an event in Utah last year – was also attending the event.
Footage circulating on social media shows her visibly distressed as she is escorted away, saying: “I just want to go home.”
A crying Erika Kirk being evacuated moments after shooting.She can be heard saying:“I just want to go home” pic.twitter.com/l0A0C1rfsk
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 26, 2026 - 04:41 GMT
Donald Trump described the presidency as a “dangerous profession,” saying that “no country is immune” to political violence.
“It comes with the territory,” he said, claiming he was targeted for his policies. “We’re going to continue to do a great job. That’s all I can do,” he added.
"It comes with the territory, and If you want to do a great job... take a look at what's happened to some of our greatest presidents. It doesn't happen to people that don't do anything," says @POTUS. "It's not going to deter me..." pic.twitter.com/IJHLKThtUh
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 26, 2026 - 04:30 GMT
The suspect will initially face two charges – using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon – according to US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C.
“It is clear, based upon what we know so far, that this individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could, and thankfully, because of the checkpoint right outside the ballroom where thousands of people were situated to hear the president of the United States, that checkpoint worked,” Pirro said during a press conference. “There was no one who was injured, but it was clear where this defendant was going.”
Pirro added that the suspect is expected to be arraigned Monday in federal district court and may face additional charges as the investigation continues.
- 04:21 GMT
The suspected shooter, identified by multiple media outlets as 31-year-old Cole Allen, had reportedly been employed by C2 Education, a tutoring service in Torrance, California, and received a “Teacher of the Month” award in December 2024. The California Institute of Technology confirmed in an email to CBS News that Allen graduated in 2017 but did not provide further details.
