A Secret Service agent who absorbed a gunshot to his bulletproof vest during the chaos at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner is recovering well, according to President Donald Trump, though experts say the impact itself can still deliver a punishing blow.
Trump said Saturday night that the agent was struck at close range but protected by his gear.
“One officer was shot but saved by the fact that he was wearing obviously a very good bulletproof vest,” Trump said in a press conference.
“He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job. I just spoke to the officer, and he’s doing great. He’s in great shape. He is in very high spirits.”
The agent has since been released from the hospital, according to NBC.
Authorities quickly evacuated Trump, the first lady, and top administration officials after the suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, allegedly charged a security checkpoint with multiple weapons. Reports say Allen was carrying both a shotgun and a handgun, along with several knives.
What unfolded next remains murky. Witnesses reported hearing several gunshots, but it is still unclear whether all the rounds came from the suspect or if Secret Service agents also fired. Surveillance footage later shared by the president shows agents with weapons drawn during the confrontation.
Despite the exchange, the suspect was not wounded. Images released by Trump show Allen detained shirtless and lying face down in the hotel lobby.
Officials have not disclosed the specific type of round that struck the agent, but the incident highlights a harsh reality of body armor. While it can stop bullets, it does not eliminate the force behind them.
According to guidance from Premiere Body Armor:
“Does it hurt getting shot with body armor? Yes, it absolutely can. While a bulletproof vest prevents a round from penetrating your body, it does not cancel out the energy behind the bullet. Many describe the sensation as similar to being hit by a sledgehammer or receiving a hard punch to the chest. In short, does getting shot with a bulletproof vest hurt? Absolutely, but it’s far better than the alternative.
The amount of pain you experience depends on several factors: the caliber and speed of the bullet, the type of vest you’re wearing, whether trauma pads are used, and exactly where the shot impacts. A direct hit to the sternum, for example, will feel very different than a glancing shot to the side. Even when the armor performs perfectly, bruises, soreness, or other injuries are common.”
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said early findings indicate the suspect may have been targeting members of the Trump administration.
Records reviewed by multiple outlets show Allen was registered with no party affiliation in Los Angeles County. Federal Election Commission data cited by BBC Verify shows he donated $25 in October 2024 through ActBlue to support Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.
Allen lists himself on LinkedIn as a mechanical engineer, game developer, and teacher. His profile says he studied mechanical engineering at the California Institute of Technology and participated in a Christian fellowship program while there.
Blanche said investigators believe Allen purchased the firearms “in the last couple of years” and noted there was “not any indication yet” that he was previously known to law enforcement.
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