Trump rushed to safety after the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

The White House Correspondents’ dinner quickly turned into chaos on Saturday as gunfire erupted inside the Washington, DC hotel, which is hosting the annual event while President Donald Trump is in attendance.

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

Allen’s sister, Avriana Allen, told the Secret Service and Montgomery County police that her brother has a history of making strong statements and previously mentioned a plan to do “something” to fix what he believes are the problems of today’s society, authorities said.

WHCD SHOOTING SUSPECT PLANNED ON TRUMP OFFICIALS, MANIFESTO RESTS

Allen allegedly stormed the Washington Hilton lobby armed with weapons minutes into the event, and was quickly apprehended by members of the Secret Service.

He is currently in custody and the authorities are expected to file charges against him on Monday.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller helps his wife Katie Miller after an incident at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner in Washington, DC, April 25, 2026. President Donald Trump and other officials were evacuated from the Washington Hilton following reports of gunfire. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Here is a timeline of events leading up to the shooting:

October 2023:

Allen legally purchases a .38-caliber semiautomatic rifle, in accordance with the Associated Press. He bought a 12 gauge shotgun two years later.

WATCH: Suspect goes from ‘nerdy geek’ to alleged attacker: Asra Nomani

His sister told authorities that the weapons were purchased from Cap Tactical Firearms and stored at their parents’ home, who did not know the guns were stored there.

BHITE HOUSE DINNER SUSPECT WAS WATCHED AT THE HILTON HOTEL ONE DAY BEFORE THE SHOOTING: SOURCES

Security officials are searching for threats as shots are fired at the journalists’ dinner. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

He also revealed that his brother used to visit the scene of the shooting, was a member of a group called “The Wide Awakes” and attended the “No Kings” protest in California.

President Donald Trump gestures in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House after a gunman opened fire at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

By mid-April 2026:

Allen is said to be traveling by train from California to Washington, DC, with one stop in Chicago, according to authorities.

Attendees ducked under tables during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. (Jessica Koscielniak/Reuters)

Friday, April 24

Allen checked into the Washington Hilton one day before the April 25 dinner, sources told Fox News.

Armed Secret Service agents stand on stage during a shooting at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, April 25, 2026. President Donald Trump and other government officials were evacuated after a gunman opened fire. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Saturday, April 25, 8 pm

The 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner begins, with Trump taking his seat alongside Vice President JD Vance and first lady Melania Trump. Several other administration officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel and House Speaker Mike Johnson, also attended.

WATCH: Trey Yingst reports live on WHCD during the shooting

GOT ADVICE?

Before the shooting, Allen allegedly sent a written manifesto outlining his intention to target Trump administration officials to members of his family, according to law enforcement sources.

A diagram showing the design of the Washington Hilton’s international level terrace, where the shooter passed through the hotel. (Washington Hilton Floor Plan/TruthSocial/Amanda Macias/Fox News Digital)

Saturday, April 25, 8:30 pm

Gunshots rang out on the terrace level of the hotel, one floor below the lobby and one floor above the International Ballroom, where hundreds of journalists and cabinet officials were enjoying the start of the program.

Media and onlookers gather in front of the house linked to Cole Thomas Allen, the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, in Torrance, Calif., on April 25, 2026. (Robbin Goddard / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

According to authorities, Allen entered the checkpoint in the lobby armed with guns and knives, assaulting one officer who was wearing his vest.

Cole Allen wearing a graduation gown taken on an unknown date. (Cole Allen/LinkedIn)

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Allen was caught by members of the Secret Service as he returned fire and took him to the ground.

Within seconds, Trump and other high-ranking members of the federal government were rushed to safety by the Secret Service, as reporters and other attendees sat under the ballroom tables.

Sen. Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt and First Lady Melania Trump hold a news conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, April 25, 2026, after President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were kicked out of the White House Correspondents’ Association following an incident with reporters of security. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

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The police officer who was hit later was transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive.

Law enforcement officials close a street at an address linked to Cole Thomas Allen, the suspect in the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Torrance, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

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Saturday, April 25, 9:17 pm

Trump made his first comments after the shooting on Truth Social, praising officials for acting “quickly and courageously.” Trump also added that “the shooter has been arrested,” and that he recommended that the event be restarted.

WATCH: WHCD shooting appears to be third incident targeted at Trump

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Saturday, April 25, 9:36 pm

Trump made a second post on Truth Social, revealing that law enforcement had asked attendees to leave the building, as per protocol.

Saturday, April 25, 10:49 pm

After the shooting, Allen’s brother contacted the New London Police Department in Connecticut about his alleged manifesto.

Members of the law who fired Cole Thomas Allen during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington. (Alex Brandon/AP)

The police said in a statement that they were contacted around 10:49 p.m. but someone wanted to share information, the department said and immediately notified the law enforcement, reported the Associated Press.

Sunday, April 26

Allen initially spoke to police before refusing to talk as of Sunday morning, according to authorities.

Authorities executed search warrants Sunday in Los Angeles and Washington, including at the hotel room where the suspect was staying, Blanche said. Investigators review the devices and communications found during the search.

President Trump delivered his remarks following the incident that took place at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Fox News)

Blanche added that it appears Allen bought the guns “a few years ago.”

“That could be another reason why he went by train because he was carrying guns, but I’m guessing there,” he said.

Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom, Amanda Macias and CJ Womack contributed to this report.