White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting suspect ID’d, FBI secures his California home

Dana White, widely known as the CEO and president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), opened up about the chaotic security scare during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, saying afterward: "It was f**** awesome."**

White described the scene in the venue as it suddenly "started getting noisy," before the situation spiraled.

"Tables getting flipped over, guys running in with guns, and uh they were screaming get down," White recalled.

Despite the chaos, White said he never hit the floor.

"I didn't get down," White declared. "It was f**** awesome."**

White said he was seated "right in front of the table... Right in front of where the president" was when the incident unfolded.

He described the moment when armed men came toward his table while searching for possible shooters.

"Nobody got tackled, but guys came in looking for shooters and they came toward our table," White explained, adding that he thought "the shooter was over by us or something."

Afterward, White said, "I literally took every minute of it in," calling it a "pretty crazy unique experience."

Fox News Digital Senior Investigations Editor Asra Nomani said the suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting was shaped by years of ideological influence, arguing the attack reflects a broader pattern of radicalization rather than an isolated act.

Speaking on “The Big Weekend Show” Sunday, Nomani said her reporting indicates the suspect operated within an “ecosystem” of rhetoric and activism that can drive vulnerable individuals toward violence, pushing back on claims he acted as a lone wolf.

“What the world has seen is this danger, this danger that happens with radicalization,” Nomani said. “A lot of people have talked about this young man as a lone wolf, but in fact, what we've discovered is that he operated and lived in the ecosystem over this past decade. That took him from being this just very nerdy geek who did this wheelchair invention that you just showed to then getting on a train from California to then rush into the Hilton and try to assassinate the innocents.”

Nomani said much of the suspect’s path over the past decade remains unclear, but his final statements echoed rhetoric seen in protests targeting the Trump administration and the U.S.

She said that environment can shape vulnerable individuals over time, particularly those searching for identity.

“It happens oftentimes with vulnerable people as you know are searching for an identity and when you just lock into this us versus them mentality…you then can create a very hostile and aggressive person,” she said.

Nomani also warned about the role of identity-driven movements in that process.

“When they lock into identity politics and sectarianism that's that slippery slope that can lead to radicalization,” she said.

An attendee who reportedly had the hotel room next to Cole Allen recalled what he described as alarming security lapses in the hours before Allen allegedly opened fire outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner attended by President Donald Trump on Saturday.

Daily Beast editor Hugh Dougherty said the apparent breaches explain how the suspect may have been able to slip a disassembled long gun past authorities.

“How on earth could someone with a disassembled long gun check into a room at a hotel where the president was going to speak? I can answer that: Nobody even looked at my luggage on Friday afternoon,” he said, adding that his colleague’s belongings also went unchecked as late as 5 p.m. Saturday

“No magnometers, no hand checks, no I.D. checks. Nothing.”

Dougherty added that he was able to move freely between the ground floor and his room on the 10th floor of the Washington Hilton without anyone stopping him, screening him, or verifying his credentials — a significant lapse that may have allowed the suspect to move through the building before allegedly assembling the gun outside the press dinner.

“To get down from my room to the dinner, I simply flashed my ticket,” Dougherty said. “It could have been a photocopy.”

He also said he sent a copy of his colleague’s ticket to help them gain access to the hotel interior up to the magnetometers — the same checkpoints Allen allegedly had to sprint past before being tackled by security.

President Donald Trump revealed Sunday night what the discussion at the head table of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was moments before gunfire erupted.

Trump told CBS correspondent Norah O’Donnell that the evening’s entertainer, mentalist Oz Pearlman, was attempting to guess the name of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s baby daughter. Leavitt is expecting her second child in the coming weeks.

Pearlman appeared to correctly guess the name, revealing it on a piece of paper, as Leavitt and CBS White House correspondent Weijia Jiang reacted.

“Right around that point, you can see the expression on the first lady’s face,” Trump said, adding that’s when he realized something was wrong.

The first lady appeared to say, “What happened?” as she looked around the room. Trump said the first lady handled the situation well.

"My thought was, I've been through this before a couple of times. She has not, to this extent," Trump added.

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner quickly devolved into chaos Saturday as shots rang out inside the Washington, D.C., hotel hosting the annual gala while President Donald Trump was in attendance.

The suspect has been identified as Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, Calif., with law enforcement adding that he prepared a manifesto and shared posts to social media outlining his intent to target Trump and other administration officials, according to authorities.

Allen’s sister, Avriana Allen, told Secret Service and Montgomery County Police that her brother had a history of making radical statements and previously mentioned a plan to do "something" to fix what he believed to be issues with today’s society, authorities said.

Allen allegedly stormed the Washington Hilton’s lobby while armed with weapons within minutes of the event kicking off, and was quickly apprehended by members of the Secret Service.

Find out how the events leading up to Saturday’s shooting unfolded.

This is an excerpt from a story by Fox News Digital’s Julia Bonavita.

President Donald Trump blasted “60 Minutes” host Norah O’Donnell to her face after she read a portion of the alleged White House Correspondents' Dinner gunman's manifesto.

O'Donnell quoted directly from the suspect's manifesto, reading a section that appears to refer to the president or administration officials as pedophiles, rapists and traitors. She then asked for the president's reaction.

“I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would…you’re horrible people,” Trump told O’Donnell.

“You read that crap from some sick person? I got associated with all stuff that has nothing to do with me,” he continued, adding he was exonerated.

Trump then took direct aim at the host.

“I’m not any of those things,” he said. “You should be ashamed of yourself reading that. You shouldn’t be reading that on 60 Minutes. You’re a disgrace, but, go ahead, let’s finish the interview.”

Former FBI special agent Nicole Parker said investigative experts will meticulously reconstruct Cole Allen’s alleged “pathway to violence” by analyzing his financial records, digital footprint and reported manifesto.

By cross-examining Allen’s weapons purchases against his digital activity and writings, authorities may be able to better determine whether he was in contact with anyone tied to the planning stages of Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, Parker said.

“When we talk about the credit card charges, that's extremely important. They want to see his spending patterns,” she said on Fox News.

“In addition to just the credit card charges and the financial situation, they'll obviously also be looking at the digital footprint. Who was he corresponding with?"

Parker added that officials are seeking to construct a comprehensive psychological profile to better understand his mindset and motivations, as well as how his alleged grievances and planning may have developed over time.

“The FBI will build a very solid profile,” Parker said.

“They will be looking at his pathway to violence. What was his grievance? His ideation? The planning that he did? There was a substantial amount of planning. And then the action. They will look at it piece by piece by piece.”

Former President Barack Obama emphasized that the motive behind the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner remains unclear in a statement responding to the incident.

His remarks led with the lack of confirmed details about what drove the attack before turning to a broader condemnation of violence and praise for the Secret Service.

“Although we don’t yet have the details about the motives behind last night's shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, it’s incumbent upon all us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy,” Obama wrote on X. “It’s also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice that U.S. Secret Service Agents show every day.

“I’m grateful to them – and thankful that the agent who was shot is going to be okay,” he added.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Obama’s team for clarification on his comments.

A photo shared by White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair shows President Donald Trump meeting with senior aides and officials in the Oval Office following the shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night.

The image captures a packed room gathered around the Resolute Desk. Trump is seen with a laptop on his desk and several documents placed in front of him. Multiple Secret Service agents are visible throughout the room.

Top administration officials in attendance include Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Attendees appear to still be in formal attire from the event, suggesting the meeting took place shortly after the incident as the administration coordinated its response.

The employer of Cole Allen released a statement on Sunday condemning the shooting that sent the White House Correspondents’ Dinner into chaos on Saturday.

C2 Education, a tutoring and college test prep center where Allen began working around 2020, added that it is cooperating fully with law enforcement investigating the incident.

“We were shocked to hear the news of the horrifying incident that transpired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner,” the company told Fox News Digital.

“We are cooperating fully with law enforcement to assist them in their investigation. Violence of any kind is never the answer.”

Allen became a tutor at the company in Torrance, California, roughly one year after graduating from Caltech.

He was later recognized as “Teacher of the Month” at C2 Education in December 2024, according to a social media post.

Fox News Digital’s Peter D'Abrosca and Asra Q. Nomani contributed to this report.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke with President Donald Trump following what officials described as an attempted attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

In a post on X, Erdoğan's office addressed the incident and expressed support for those affected.

“In the conversation, His Excellency Our President conveyed his condolences to President Trump over the attempted attack that occurred at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington,” a translated version of the post read. “President Erdoğan stated that he views the incident as a heinous act against democracy and press freedom, and that he wishes a speedy recovery to the injured security officer.”

Rep. James Comer said Saturday’s security breach at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was a direct result of insufficient funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the U.S. Secret Service.

As a result, the House Oversight Committee chairman has called for a briefing from the Secret Service to determine how suspected gunman Cole Allen quickly bypassed a checkpoint and open fire before being tackled.

“Following last night’s assassination attempt against @POTUS Trump at the WHCD, the House Oversight Committee has requested a briefing from U.S. Secret Service,” Comer said in a post on X Sunday.

“DHS, including Secret Service, has been unfunded for more than 70 days now. It’s time to stop the games & fund DHS.”

The department has faced ongoing financial instability since February, when funding lapsed during a government shutdown triggered by a political stalemate. During such closures, many essential employees are still required to work without pay until a funding bill is passed, with back pay issued later once funding is restored.

On Saturday evening, Allen allegedly rushed a Secret Service checkpoint at the Washington Hilton hotel during an event attended by President Donald Trump and other high-level cabinet officials. The suspect then reportedly opened fire, striking a Secret Service officer who was wearing a ballistic vest

Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., said Sunday he will introduce legislation to approve construction of a White House ballroom following what officials described as an assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

The Republican lawmaker said he plans to seek unanimous consent in the Senate for the measure, arguing the project is necessary to ensure the safety of the president and other officials attending large events in Washington.

“This week I will introduce and seek unanimous consent for legislation providing express approval for construction of a Presidential ballroom,” Sheehy said. “It is an embarrassment to the strongest nation on Earth that we cannot host gatherings in our nation’s capital, including ones attended by our President, without the threat of violence and attempted assassinations.”

The proposal comes as officials renew concerns about security at venues outside the White House perimeter.

“There is no place for political violence in America. Unfortunately, it seems, too many people believe trying to kill our President and members of our government is acceptable,” Sheehy added. “A President of any party should be able to host events in a secure area without attendees worrying about their safety. This is common sense.”

The U.S. Department of Justice said a lawsuit challenging plans for a new White House ballroom is putting President Donald Trump at risk following what officials described as another assassination attempt.

In a letter dated April 26 to an attorney for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate said the incident underscores the need for a secure, on-site venue instead of large events held outside the White House perimeter.

“Last night, there was another attempt on President Trump’s life. This time, the shooter targeted President Trump at the Washington Hilton, the only ballroom in Washington, D.C. suitable to host large gatherings for the President, where another shooter targeted President Reagan 45 years ago,” Shumate wrote.

He said the venue presents significant security challenges for the Secret Service.

“Put simply, your lawsuit puts the lives of the President, his family, and his staff at grave risk,” Shumate wrote. “I hope yesterday’s narrow miss will help you finally realize the folly of a lawsuit that literally serves no purpose except to stop President Trump no matter the cost.”

The Justice Department is pressing the group to drop its legal challenge to the proposed construction of a new White House ballroom, warning it will move to dissolve the injunction and dismiss the case if the lawsuit is not withdrawn by Monday morning.

“Enough is enough. Your client should voluntarily dismiss this frivolous lawsuit today in light of last night’s assassination attempt on President Trump,” he added.

The royal family’s planned trip to the United States will proceed as scheduled following Saturday’s shooting that rocked the White House Correspondents’ Dinner attended by President Donald Trump.

Buckingham Palace told Fox News on Sunday that the decision followed discussions between both sides on how the incident could affect King Charles and Queen Camilla’s four-day official visit.

"Following ​discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and ​acting on advice ​of government, we can confirm the ‌state ⁠visit by their majesties will proceed as planned," a palace spokesperson said.

"The ​king and ​queen ⁠are most grateful to all those ​who have worked at ​pace ⁠to ensure this remains the case and are ⁠looking ​forward to ​the visit getting underway tomorrow."

The palace official added that the overall plan remains unchanged, with only minor adjustments to one or two scheduled engagements.

King Charles and his wife have also privately reached out to Trump to express their sympathies following the incident at the Washington Hilton Hotel, a Washington source confirmed to Fox News.

The royal couple is scheduled to arrive in the United States on Monday for a private meeting with Trump, as well as an address to Congress, ahead of commemorations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States’ declaration of independence from British rule.

Matthew Segal, a spokesman for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, confirmed to Fox News Digital on Sunday that the alleged gunman who opened fire outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, Cole Allen, worked at the high-security facility in 2014, when he was an undergraduate student at Caltech.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Allen was a summer undergraduate research fellow.

“NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) unequivocally denounces violence and extends our condolences and support to all those impacted by this incident,” Segal said. “We can confirm that the suspect interned at JPL for approximately three months in 2014.”

“We do not have details from the investigation to confirm that the suspect and the Caltech undergraduate alumnus are the same person,” he added.

Fox News Digital has verified the suspect and the former Caltech student are the same person.

The family of the suspected gunman who allegedly opened fire outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday alerted law enforcement after the incident took place, the FBI clarified to Fox News Digital on Sunday.

The brother of Cole Allen notified the New London Police Department in Connecticut that the suspect had sent family members an alleged manifesto prior to the shooting at the Washington Hilton, according to the White House.

The document reportedly laid out plans to target administration officials, the White House said.

President Donald Trump added that it also allegedly indicated that Allen harbored hatred toward Christians.

In addition, Allen’s sister Avriana Allen told Secret Service and Montgomery County Police that her brother has made radical statements in the past and constantly referenced a plan to do “something” to fix what he called issues with today’s society, officials said.

Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich contributed to this report.

The Washington Hilton is a sprawling venue, with 47 meeting rooms, more than 1,100 guest rooms, and over 118,000 square feet of event space—an interconnected layout where movement is constant and security is especially complex during high-profile events like the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

This diagram traces the suspect’s path across the Hilton's terrace level—from a security checkpoint to where he was tackled—showing how quickly a threat can move through the space.

Authorities said the suspect carried multiple weapons into the hotel, underscoring the severity of the breach and leaving agents only seconds to respond and secure critical access points.

That urgency became clear just after 8:30 p.m., when gunfire erupted on the hotel’s terrace level, one floor below the hotel lobby and one floor above the International Ballroom, where guests were already seated for the evening program.

Within seconds, President Donald Trump was rushed from the stage as attendees took cover and security agents moved members of his Cabinet out of the room. By 9:45 p.m., he had left the hotel, arriving back at the White House just before 10 p.m., where he later briefed the press.

The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) said its board will meet to assess the shooting that unfolded at White House Correspondents' Dinner and determine how to move forward.

WHCA President Weijia Jiang said in a statement that the shooting at the Washington Hilton hotel was “a harrowing moment for everyone in attendance.”

“We express our deepest gratitude to the U.S. Secret Service and all law enforcement personnel who ensured the safety of everyone in the ballroom and beyond,” the statement said. “Their actions protected thousands of guests, and we wish a full and speedy recovery to the officer who was injured in the line of duty. We are grateful everyone in attendance was unharmed, including the President, the First Lady, and the Vice President.”

 “Our dinner exists to celebrate the First Amendment and the hard daily work of the journalists who defend it,” it continued. “Last night, those journalists showed exactly the kind of calm and courage that work demands, jumping into reporting immediately after the incident unfolded. We are proud of everyone in that room.”

Jiang said the WHCA will provide updates as soon as any are available.