Shooting Suspect Sought to Kill Trump, as Many Cabinet Members as Possible, Says US Attorney

Investigators say Cole Allen traveled from California to Washington by train and reserved a room at the Washington Hilton, the venue for the dinner.

(L-R) U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, speak during a press conference about the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting, at the Justice Department in Washington on April 27, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

The suspect in Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner allegedly sought to kill President Donald Trump and as many Cabinet members as possible, said U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro on April 27.

Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, has been charged with the attempted assassination of the president. The charges were filed by the Department of Justice following the incident at the annual event. Pirro said there will be additional charges.