Authorities have identified the suspect arrested in connection with a shooting near the venue of the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner as Cole Tomas Allen, a California resident.
According to 10 Tampa Bay, the incident unfolded late in the evening in Washington, D.C., as attendees and guests were leaving events tied to the high-profile dinner. According to law enforcement officials, shots were fired outside the secured perimeter of the event area, prompting immediate panic, a rapid police response, and the temporary shutdown of nearby streets.
Investigators say Allen, who is from California, was taken into custody shortly after the shooting without further incident. Authorities have not yet released details on what led up to the event or a possible motive, noting that the investigation is still in its early stages.
Police confirmed that at least one person was injured in the shooting and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials have not released the victim’s identity or current condition, but said medical care was being provided. Detectives are now working to determine whether Allen acted alone and how the weapon was brought into such a heavily secured area during one of the city’s most high-profile political events.
The U.S. Secret Service joined local and federal law enforcement agencies in securing the scene shortly after the gunfire erupted. Officials later said there was no ongoing threat to the public, though security remained tight in the surrounding area as investigators collected evidence and interviewed witnesses.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is known for drawing major political figures, journalists, and public personalities from across the country, and typically operates under strict security protocols. The shooting has raised new concerns about safety measures at major national events.
The investigation into the incident involving Cole Thomas Allen remains active, and officials say more information will be released as it becomes a
