April 26, 2026
How did suspected gunman get weapons into Correspondents' Dinner? Ex-detective questions security failures
Former D.C. detective Ted Williams calls out what he says is lax security at the White House Correspondents' Dinner after a Secret Service agent was shot.
TL;DR
- Former D.C. detective Ted Williams described security at the White House Correspondents' Dinner as "lax."
- A Secret Service agent was injured during an incident involving a suspected gunman, Cole Thomas Allen.
- Williams raised concerns about how Allen was able to bring weapons into the hotel.
- Allen, a computer scientist from Torrance, California, had reportedly checked into the hotel before the dinner.
- The suspect rushed a Secret Service checkpoint while armed with multiple weapons.
- Agents fired back at Allen, who was not hit, and both Allen and the injured agent were hospitalized.
- Allen has been charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, with more charges expected.