Mike Lawler calls Trump dinner a 'security failure' as family's police warning went unheeded
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Mike Lawler has called the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner a “security failure,” as new details emerged that the suspect’s family had alerted police about writings expressing anti-Trump views before the attack.
Federal authorities said 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen breached security at the Washington Hilton armed with multiple weapons and moved toward the ballroom where President Donald Trump and senior administration officials were gathered.
Lawmaker raises concerns over event security after breach
The incident has also triggered scrutiny over security arrangements at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Representative Mike Lawler, who attended the event, described the breach as a “security failure” and questioned how the suspect was able to get so close to the ballroom carrying multiple firearms.
Lawler said there was no ID verification at entry, no formal attendance list, limited ticket inspection and no magnetometers at entrances or on the first two levels of the hotel, where pre-dinner receptions were being held.
“There are a lot of issues to resolve, including how the gunman was able to get multiple firearms within vicinity of ballroom,” Lawler wrote on X.
He added: “We are fortunate no one was killed, but that type of breach on an event of this size is deeply disturbing.”
As you can hear in the video, this is precisely what happened last night.
— Mike Lawler (@lawler4ny) April 26, 2026
From where my wife and I were sitting, I heard a pop and then a bunch of plates hit the floor, before all of the federal agents stormed into the room.
In the moment, it was very hard to understand…
Police said Allen was armed with a shotgun, handgun and knives when he rushed a security checkpoint and moved toward the ballroom. Officers exchanged gunfire with him before tackling and detaining him.
Family alerted police after receiving writings from suspect
A senior administration official said Allen’s brother contacted police in Connecticut after receiving writings from the suspect shortly before the shooting.
According to officials, the writings included criticism of Trump and referenced administration officials as intended targets rather than event guests or hotel employees. Allen also reportedly apologized to family and friends in the note, saying he did not expect forgiveness.
The New London Police Department confirmed that it received a call at approximately 10.49 pm on Saturday, April 25, from an individual expressing concern related to the shooting. Local police then notified federal authorities, and the caller was interviewed.
Officials said Allen’s sister also provided investigators with additional details, describing her brother as someone who often made radical statements and repeatedly referenced plans to “fix” the world’s problems.
She also confirmed that Allen had purchased two handguns and a shotgun, although their parents were unaware he was storing the weapons inside the family home.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said preliminary findings indicate Allen was targeting administration officials.
“We believe he was targeting administration officials in this attack, attempted attack, but that’s again, quite preliminary,” Blanche said.
Authorities said Allen traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then onward to Washington before checking into the hotel where the WHCA dinner was taking place.
