Man Armed with Guns and Knives Storms Lobby Outside Journalists’ Dinner Attended by President Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — A man armed with guns and knives stormed the lobby outside a high-profile journalists’ dinner attended by President Donald Trump on Saturday night, rushing toward the ballroom before Secret Service agents swarmed him and took him into custody.

The president was uninjured and was quickly escorted away by security personnel as guests reacted with alarm, some diving under tables and others reporting hearing what sounded like gunfire outside the subterranean ballroom of the Washington Hilton where the event was being held.

The Secret Service confirmed in a statement that they were working with local police to investigate “a shooting incident,” adding that a person was in custody. Officials later identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California.

Allen was apprehended after approaching the venue’s exterior lobby area, where he was found to be in possession of multiple firearms and edged weapons. Law enforcement officials said he did not gain access to the main event space but was intercepted before reaching the ballroom doors.

President Trump, who was seated at the same table as CBS News reporter Weijia Jiang during the gala, later addressed the incident briefly, describing the security response as “very quick” and commending the actions of Secret Service agents.

The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, an annual gathering of journalists, administration officials, and public figures, proceeded after the security disruption, though attendance was notably affected as some guests departed early following the incident.

Authorities have not released a motive for Allen’s actions, and the investigation remains ongoing. No injuries were reported among attendees or staff, and the Secret Service confirmed that all protectees were safely removed from the area without incident.