An armed security breach at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner triggered panic in Washington late Saturday, forcing the evacuation of U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump after shots were fired at a Secret Service checkpoint.

The dramatic incident unfolded at the Washington Hilton, where about 2,600 guests had gathered for the high-profile event. Authorities confirmed that a lone suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from the Los Angeles area, is now in custody.

According to officials, the suspect charged through a security checkpoint in the hotel lobby at approximately 8:35 p.m. ET, armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives. As he breached the perimeter, Secret Service agents engaged him, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

A Secret Service agent was struck during the confrontation but was protected by a bulletproof vest and is in stable condition. Law enforcement officers quickly subdued the suspect, tackling and handcuffing him at the scene before transporting him to a hospital for evaluation.

The man identified as the shooter in a photo posted by Trump on Truth Social on April 25, 2026. Handout via REUTERS

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll said the incident appeared to be isolated, with no immediate indication of a broader threat. However, investigators are still working to determine the suspect’s motive.

Law enforcement sources told CBS News that the suspect allegedly expressed intentions to target officials in the Trump administration, though authorities have yet to confirm a clear motive.

In California, FBI agents and local law enforcement officials cordoned off the suspect’s residence as part of an ongoing investigation. Media crews gathered outside the property while agents conducted searches.

Secret Service Director Sean Curran praised the swift response of agents, saying the incident demonstrated the effectiveness of layered security measures.

“Tonight we saw exactly what our brave men and women do every day to protect our protectees,” Curran said in a statement.

The annual dinner was immediately cancelled following the incident. President Trump later addressed reporters at the White House, describing the suspect as “a sick person” and vowing that such attacks would not disrupt national life.

“We’re not going to let anybody take over our society,” Trump said, adding that the event would be rescheduled.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said the suspect is expected to face charges including assault on a federal officer and use of a firearm during a violent crime.

The shooting adds to heightened security concerns surrounding Trump, who survived two assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign, including a shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and a foiled plot at a golf course in Florida.

Saturday’s incident also carried historical echoes, as the Washington Hilton was the site of the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan.

Despite the scare, officials emphasised that the security system functioned as intended, preventing further casualties and ensuring the safety of the president and attendees. Investigations into the suspect’s background, including reports suggesting he may have worked as a teacher in Torrance, California, are ongoing.

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By OLUFEMI SHODUNKE (CANADA)

An Ontario Supreme Court of Justice in Canada has sentenced a 62-year-old man, Bradley Britton, who sexually assaulted two women 38 years ago, to a “global sentence” of eight years.

Britton, according to court records, assaulted victim N.G. on May 23, 1987 at Toronto and victim A.N. in Oakville in 1993, both in Ontario Province.

The Presiding Judge, Conlan J, who described the two incidents as “historical offences,” stated last Wednesday that Britton, who was 24 when he sexually assaulted his first victim, committed grievous offences.

“The gravity of these two offences is very significant.  The degree of responsibility of this offender, Britton, is very high,” Justice Conlan said in his recent decision.

He maintained: “Notwithstanding Mr. Adler’s able submissions, and notwithstanding the passage of time and all of the extensive materials filed by the defence, I am of the opinion that a significant penitentiary sentence is the only reasonable disposition in this case.

“The sentence of the Court is as follows.  On the conviction involving N.G., Britton is sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment.  On the conviction involving A.N., Britton is sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment, consecutive.  The global sentence is, therefore, 8 years’ imprisonment.”

“I have deliberately tempered the sentence on each of the two convictions so as to respect the totality principle and so that the mitigating factors are properly accounted for. 

For example, five years in custody for breaking into the home of and sexually assaulting, with full vaginal penetration, a random woman in her bed, at knife point, is relatively low,” the judge stressed.

He added: “Overall, though, I am satisfied that the global sentence imposed is a fit one.”

According to court records, the sexual offences were committed some six years apart, against the two different victims, in different cities, and in different circumstances, and therefore, consecutive sentences were appropriate, keeping in mind the totality principle.

Britton, who had a lengthy history of drug and alcohol addiction but never committed any crime since the assaults, was discovered as the perpetrator after “a determined police investigation by both Toronto and Halton authorities, and with the assistance of an expert genealogy laboratory in Texas” USA in 2023.

He was alleged to have invaded N.G. home between 3am and 4am, and assaulted the then 28-year-old married mother of three children while sleeping. 

“The family was asleep in their apartment on Jane Street.  The couple’s 1-year-old daughter was sleeping in the bed beside the victim.  The husband and the couple’s two older daughters, 5 and 9 years old, were asleep in the adjacent room,” the record disclosed.

Britton allegedly threatened to kill the woman who later told police that “she was afraid of dying during the attack.”

Similarly, the accused had laid ambushed on the 20-year-old A.G. while she was walking home in Oakville in 1993 and sexually attacked her.

“When he was finished with her, Britton told the victim to count to 20 before she moved.  He told her not to tell anyone and that he would be watching her.  He then left the area,” the court record disclosed.

The record added: “Police determined that Britton had been hiding behind a gravestone and watching the walking path that had been used by the victim.  He had run out from behind the gravestone to attack A.N.

French football icon Michel Platini has been the victim of a burglary at his villa in Cassis, Bouches-du-Rhône, with several of his prestigious trophies and medals reportedly stolen.

According to reports confirmed by RTL and later by AFP, the break-in occurred early Friday morning.

Platini, who wore the number 10 shirt for France and earned 72 caps between 1976 and 1987, was at home at the time and was alerted by a noise coming from his garden.

The 70-year-old former UEFA president went to investigate and was confronted by a hooded intruder dressed in black.

The suspect fled the scene but not before making off with a number of sporting awards, mainly comprising medals and trophies from Platini’s illustrious career.

The research brigade from nearby Aubagne has been assigned to lead the investigation into the burglary.

Michel Platini, widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, is a three-time Ballon d’Or winner (1983, 1984, 1985) and played a pivotal role in France’s 1984 European Championship victory.

 At club level, he lifted the European Cup with Juventus in 1985 and led France to two World Cup semi-final finishes—in 1982 (4th place) and 1986 (3rd place).

He later went on to coach the national team and served as UEFA president from 2007 to 2015.

The stolen memorabilia represent not just personal mementos but also treasured artifacts of football history. French authorities are continuing their investigation, and no arrests have yet been made.

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