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Gunman Injures Secret Service Agent Near White House Dinner

Published 26 April 2026

A gunman opened fire near the security perimeter of the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night, injuring one Secret Service agent before being taken into custody, law enforcement officials confirmed. The incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. local time at the Washington Hilton, where President Donald Trump was attending the annual event for the first time during his presidency. The suspect, identified as Cole Allen, told investigators he targeted Trump administration officials, according to senior federal law enforcement sources.

The shooting unfolded as guests, including journalists, media executives, and government figures, gathered for the dinner, which traditionally honors press freedom and fosters dialogue between reporters and officials. Trump, who boycotted the event throughout his first term amid tensions with the media, headlined the program with a speech blending humor and criticism. Attendees included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, FCC Chair Brendan Carr, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, all of whom have faced scrutiny from press organizations over policies affecting media access and regulation.

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