Shots were fired last night here at the Washington Correspondents’ Dinner, and the suspect may have specifically been targeting President Donald Trump and officials in his administration. That is according to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who spoke on Sunday shows this morning. Following up on that security scare last night at the Washington Hilton Hotel. So let’s get you up to speed on what exactly we know about this suspect so far. Authorities did not immediately identify this person, but our national investigative unit was told by sources the suspect is 31-year-old. Cole Thomas Allen of Torrance, California. Now authorities believe that this man traveled across the country and checked into this hotel in the days before the event. Now officials say that he attempted to charge past *** security checkpoint carrying guns and knives, as you can see in this video. But then was quickly tackled by Secret Service. Authorities say one agent wearing *** bulletproof vest was shot but is now in the process of recovering, thankfully. Now all of this happened just outside of *** ballroom where thousands were just sitting down for dinner, including the president, the vice president, much of the cabinet, and tons of reporters, including me. Of course, thanks to the quick action from law enforcement, we are all safe this morning, but not without *** major security scare, much of us diving below dining tables to take cover in those moments of uncertainty. And this is now raising some new questions about security precautions at the event, as there are discussions about rescheduling it in the near future.
Trump Tower sees increased police presence after chaos at White House Correspondents Dinner
The New York City Police Department is adding extra security outside Trump Tower after Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.”Out of an abundance of caution, we are taking extra security measures around Trump Tower,” the NYPD told CBS News New York.One NYPD vehicle was seen in front of the building late Saturday night.A suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen of California, fired shots outside the ballroom of the Washington Hilton Hotel as the dinner was taking place. President Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed off stage by Secret Service agents.Allen was taken into custody and hospitalized with unspecified injuries.A Secret Service agent was struck by a round, but was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to be OK, law enforcement sources told CBS News. No other injuries were reported. Rep. Mike Lawler was attending the Correspondents’ Dinner with his wife and spoke to CBS News New York about the “deeply unnerving” incident.”We had heard a pop, and then, I mean, pandemonium ensued,” he said. “Plates were flying, and once the agents came storming in and we could hear them yelling, ‘Shots fired,’ you know, obviously, given the number of high-profile officials in the room, it was chaotic.”Other New York officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, reacted to the shooting on social media.”Political violence is absolutely unacceptable. I am glad the President and guests at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner are safe,” Mamdani wrote.Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was, “Thankful for the swift response by law enforcement and the Secret Service at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.””Praying for the safety of everyone in attendance,” she added.
The New York City Police Department is adding extra security outside Trump Tower after Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are taking extra security measures around Trump Tower,” the NYPD told CBS News New York.
One NYPD vehicle was seen in front of the building late Saturday night.
A suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen of California, fired shots outside the ballroom of the Washington Hilton Hotel as the dinner was taking place. President Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed off stage by Secret Service agents.
Allen was taken into custody and hospitalized with unspecified injuries.
A Secret Service agent was struck by a round, but was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to be OK, law enforcement sources told CBS News. No other injuries were reported.
Rep. Mike Lawler was attending the Correspondents’ Dinner with his wife and spoke to CBS News New York about the “deeply unnerving” incident.
“We had heard a pop, and then, I mean, pandemonium ensued,” he said. “Plates were flying, and once the agents came storming in and we could hear them yelling, ‘Shots fired,’ you know, obviously, given the number of high-profile officials in the room, it was chaotic.”
Other New York officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, reacted to the shooting on social media.
“Political violence is absolutely unacceptable. I am glad the President and guests at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner are safe,” Mamdani wrote.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was, “Thankful for the swift response by law enforcement and the Secret Service at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.”
“Praying for the safety of everyone in attendance,” she added.
