NBC Nightly News Full Episode - April 26

[0:00] Breaking tonight, new questions about the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner [0:04] and our first look at writings from the suspected attacker calling himself the friendly federal [0:09] assassin. The frightening moments inside a Washington ballroom. The dinner to celebrate [0:20] the free press turning violent. An attacker rushing past security, charging toward the ballroom, [0:28] firing at agents, then tackled. It was a chaotic and somewhat frightened situation in here. [0:35] The president and vice president rushed out. I heard a noise. I thought it was a [0:40] tray going down. Cabinet members, lawmakers, journalists taking cover. And now the FBI [0:48] descending on the suspect's neighborhood in California. We're still investigating motive. [0:53] What we're learning about the man's writings and what his family describes as bizarre behavior, [0:59] the collection of weapons investigators say he had, and his cross-country trip ending at the [1:04] Washington Hilton with a terrifying security scare in the nation's capital. Our coverage begins right [1:10] now. This is NBC Nightly News with Hallie Jackson. Good evening. We are coming on the air tonight with [1:19] that fast-moving investigation into the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. New video [1:24] out today. You see it here showing the moment the suspect was taken down. Not long after this, [1:30] his sprint past security with multiple weapons, according to investigators. Inside the ballroom, [1:36] Secret Service rushing the president away. Guests ducking under tables while Trump administration [1:42] officials were escorted out. Now, new pictures released late today show them huddling with the [1:46] president in the Oval Office in the aftermath of the shooting. Tonight, some of the suspect's [1:51] writings just obtained by NBC News suggest a loathing for both President Trump and his administration [1:57] as investigators question neighbors about the suspected attacker ahead of an arraignment tomorrow. [2:02] Our team is covering every angle tonight. We begin with Garrett Haake, who was inside that ballroom [2:07] when all of this unfolded. Tonight, dramatic new video captures the moment Secret Service officers [2:13] wrestled the alleged White House Correspondents' Dinner gunman to the ground. 31-year-old Cole Thomas [2:19] Allen tackled and arrested after authorities say he charged through a security checkpoint armed with a [2:24] shotgun, a pistol, and multiple knives. And according to what a senior administration official says are [2:30] Cole's own writings, with a desire to kill the president and other administration officials. [2:35] A federal investigation in full swing tonight from the Washington Hilton crime scene to the [2:41] suspect's home in California. We don't believe anybody else was involved, but again, we have a lot of work [2:46] left to do and a lot of evidence left to invest, to go through and to collect. The annual Washington Gala [2:52] with President Trump, the First Lady, and Vice President Vance, all attending for the first time [2:57] in office, seated on a dais in a massive basement ballroom, just getting underway when, at 8.35, [3:04] loud bangs could be heard in the ballroom. Secret Service agents suddenly swarbed the stage. [3:12] The Vice President pulled to his feet and out of sight. The President and First Lady enveloped by agents [3:17] and hustled to safety. The President tonight on 60 Minutes. [3:21] Then I started walking with him. I turned, I started walking, and then said, please go down, [3:26] please go down on the floor. So I went down, and First Lady went down also. [3:34] Across the ballroom, mass confusion as attendees ducked under tables, and more law enforcement [3:40] officers rushed in. Top officials, including the health and defense secretaries and House Speaker [3:45] Mike Johnson, all pulled from the room by their protective details. All of it captured on phone [3:51] cameras, as a ballroom packed with reporters began covering the story developing around them. [3:57] It's still unclear what happened. There are reports that there may be somebody down outside. [4:01] I think at this point, it's clear that the President has been evacuated from the ballroom, [4:05] but not necessarily from the property at large. [4:08] From a secure location inside the hotel, the President, posting at 9.17, quote, [4:13] quite an evening in D.C., then at 9.36, that he and his cabinet were unharmed, [4:19] and at the request of law enforcement, headed back to the White House for a news conference. [4:23] Top White House aides sharing these behind-the-scene photos from the Oval Office, [4:28] moments before the President took the podium. [4:31] Well, thank you very much. Take a look at what happened. [4:34] President Trump, the target of two previous assassination attempts as a candidate, [4:38] addressing the gravity of the moment. [4:40] We had some great work done by law enforcement, but in light of this evening's events, [4:46] I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts in resolving our difference peacefully. [4:52] We have to resolve our differences. [4:55] The President also sharing this surveillance video of the moment the attacker charged through security, [5:01] a floor above the ballroom, and was apprehended. [5:03] I heard a noise. I thought it was a tray going down. [5:07] I was watching to see what was happening. Probably should have gone down even faster. [5:12] The presence of so many top government officials under one roof drawing scrutiny today. [5:17] I think the Secret Service needs to reconsider having both the President and Vice President together, [5:23] like, it's something like that, you know. [5:26] Chuck Grassley would be the President, had they all been taken out. [5:32] Garrett is joining us now from the White House. [5:34] So, Garrett, you've got the President praising the officer who was hurt last night, [5:37] who was apparently saved by his bulletproof vest, right? [5:40] That's right, Hallie. D.C.'s police chief says this was a uniformed Secret Service officer [5:44] who had the good fortune to take this bullet directly into his protective vest. [5:48] The President thanked the officer last night, described him as being in great shape and high spirits. [5:53] Hallie. [5:54] Garrett Haake outside the West Wing, thank you. [5:56] The suspected attacker's writings could give federal investigators more clues about his motive [6:00] as they searched a home connected to him today. [6:03] Our Steve Patterson is there. [6:04] Just 10 minutes before Saturday night's attack, suspected shooter 31-year-old Cole Allen [6:12] sent a series of sprawling thoughts to family members, a senior White House official told NBC News, [6:17] detailing his plan, describing himself as a friendly federal assassin. [6:22] Tonight, federal officials shifting their gaze some 2,500 miles away from the halls of the Washington Hilton [6:28] to this last known address, this quiet neighborhood in Torrance, California, [6:32] just south of Los Angeles, where FBI teams in tactical gear descended on the home overnight, [6:38] executing a search warrant. [6:40] Today, agents going door to door. [6:42] Everybody says it don't happen in your neighborhood, but it happens in everybody's neighborhood. [6:46] It's going to happen no matter where you're at. [6:48] Officials say Allen traveled by train from L.A. to Chicago, [6:52] then to D.C. before checking into the hotel on the 24th. [6:55] We're still investigating motive, and that's something that will necessarily take a couple of days at least. [7:00] In a transcript of the suspect's writings, Allen described his targets as administration officials, [7:06] his family saying they alerted police upon seeing the writings, [7:09] telling authorities he had a tendency to make radical statements [7:12] and constantly referred to a plan to do something. [7:15] Authorities say his weapons, including a 12-gauge shotgun and .38 pistol, [7:19] were legally purchased well before the shooting. [7:22] In an interview with law enforcement, his sister said he regularly trained at a shooting range, [7:26] according to a senior administration official. [7:28] His family said, big difficulty. [7:31] Maybe they should have reported him a little bit more strongly, probably. [7:34] But it's a hard thing to do, I guess. [7:36] According to Allen's LinkedIn profile, he was a part-time teacher at a tutoring and test prep company, [7:41] where he was named Teacher of the Month in December 2024. [7:45] According to social media, he graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2017, [7:50] earning a mechanical engineering degree. [7:52] The idea with this is to prevent it from moving at all. [8:00] The year he graduated, he appears in a local news segment during a tech conference demonstrating a prototype wheelchair break. [8:06] The wheelchair breaks tend to lock the wheels, but don't actually lock the chair to the ground. [8:12] The question authorities say they are now working to uncover how this promising academic may have wound up a would-be assassin. [8:18] Steve's joining us now from that neighborhood in Torrance. [8:22] And, Steve, we understand that this suspect has not been cooperating with police while in custody. [8:28] Yeah, Hallie. [8:29] First of all, police say Allen was not shot but was taken to a local hospital. [8:33] He's expected to be arraigned on two preliminary charges, [8:35] use of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer. [8:40] And you said it. [8:40] At least so far, authorities say he has not been cooperative with this investigation. [8:45] Hallie. [8:46] Steve Patterson, thank you. [8:47] Let's bring in Tom Winter now. [8:49] And, Tom, the suspect himself wrote that he was surprised there wasn't more security at this hotel. [8:53] And the president raised questions about the building itself. [8:55] What are you hearing from your sources about this footprint here? [8:58] Yeah, Hallie. [8:58] Well, right now, the security plan could be deemed a success. [9:01] Nobody seriously injured suspect in custody. [9:04] But was it too close for comfort? [9:06] Hotels present unique security challenges. [9:09] Think back to the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting and how a hotel guest, Stephen Paddock, [9:14] was able to set up an arsenal from his room. [9:16] Should hotel guests have had their bag searched? [9:19] Should there have been an additional perimeter further away from the ballroom last night? [9:23] And there will likely be a discussion about having so many top members of the administration [9:27] in one room in the middle of a war, Hallie. [9:30] So, Tom, what does this mean then for security plans for this big arrival tomorrow here in Washington [9:34] with King Charles coming to visit? [9:36] Well, British authorities have been looking at a host of recent attacks and threats in the U.K. [9:40] and just last night in Northern Ireland. [9:42] So, British and U.S. law enforcement will have to take a fresh look at the plans this week. [9:46] And it all comes as U.S. authorities face a series of major security challenges this summer, [9:51] from the FIFA World Cup to the America 250 celebrations, all in the midst of deep political [9:57] strife here at home and complex terrorism threats streaming from the Middle East. [10:01] Tom Winter, thank you very much. [10:04] Monica Alba is joining us now from the White House. [10:06] And, Monica, we're seeing a push today from the president's team to try to make the case [10:10] that what happened last night shows why they need to build that controversial ballroom at the White House, [10:14] even though, of course, the press dinner is considered a private event and not a government function. [10:18] Exactly, Hallie. [10:19] President Trump very quickly pivoted to why he says his $400 million ballroom project is critical, [10:26] insisting that the attempted attack would never have happened in his proposed space, [10:31] which is currently tied up in court. [10:33] Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche today posting a letter to the group suing the Trump administration [10:38] to halt the construction, with the DOJ calling the Washington Hilton demonstrably unsafe [10:44] and arguing that the new ballroom would be essential for the safety and security of the president, [10:49] his family, and his cabinet, while urging the National Trust for Historic Preservation [10:55] to abandon its lawsuit entirely. [10:58] And this, as members of both parties are now pushing for the ballroom to be built, [11:02] with some GOP lawmakers even calling for legislation that could accelerate that process. [11:08] Hallie. [11:09] Monica Alba at the White House, thank you. [11:11] For the president and for the country, [11:13] the shooting has intensified the spotlight on the rise of targeted political violence in America. [11:18] Our Kelly O'Donnell reports. [11:24] In that tightly packed ballroom, chaos and confusion was quickly all too familiar. [11:31] Threats of political violence are stress testing, security, and society. [11:37] From Butler, Pennsylvania in 2024, to this black-tie dinner evacuation, [11:47] the president asked about the heightened risk environment. [11:50] Is that just the cost of doing business? [11:51] Yeah. [11:52] To do politics in America anymore? [11:54] Yeah, well... [11:54] What does that say about our country? [11:55] We're not the only country. [11:57] You look at this great violence with all countries. [11:59] Targeted political violence is up dramatically. [12:02] More than 30% from 2024 through last year, according to university researchers, [12:08] including arson at the Pennsylvania governor's home, [12:11] an attack on Minnesota legislators, the Charlie Kirk assassination. [12:17] Kirk's widow, Erica Kirk, affected again as a dinner guest. [12:22] As security details swarm dignitaries, photographer Andrew Harnick, [12:28] who was seated at the head table, picked up his camera. [12:31] And by the time I was able to press record, the vice president was being yanked off the stage, [12:38] as you see in the dramatic video that I was able to capture. [12:42] What we contribute to the press corps is capturing what happens in the moment. [12:47] And obviously, that happened very quickly last night. [12:52] Kelly is with us now here in Washington. [12:54] And Kelly, the president says he wants this event, this dinner, rescheduled. [12:58] What would that even look like? [12:59] Well, the president's idea is to try and get this done within 30 days. [13:03] He described not wanting to allow offenders to derail a high-profile event like this, [13:07] honoring the First Amendment. [13:09] But it is unclear what comes next. [13:11] There are costs, logistics, and a variety of considerations at issue. [13:15] And the dinner is run by the nonprofit White House Correspondents Association, [13:20] and its board will need to figure out its own next steps. [13:23] The president may encourage a quick do-over, [13:25] but we do not know when, if, or how that would even happen. [13:30] A lot of questions still there. [13:31] Kelly O'Donnell, thank you very much. [13:33] We're going to have more on that story here in Washington as it develops. [13:36] But we are also tracking tonight the intense and dangerous weather emergency [13:39] affecting millions of people across the country, [13:41] including in Texas, reeling after deadly storms today. [13:45] Ryan Chandler is covering it all. [13:49] Dangerous storms tearing across North Texas overnight, [13:52] bringing intense lightning, heavy rain, flooding roads, and tornadoes. [13:56] Northwest of Fort Worth, the city of Runaway Bay, battered. [14:00] That's not even where it's supposed to be. [14:02] Video from the sky this morning showing the scope of the damage. [14:06] Homes shredded, some flattened, roofs ripped clean off. [14:10] County leaders say one person there died, and 40 families are displaced. [14:15] Just half an hour away in Springtown, eerie video of a glowing light. [14:20] Holy **** [14:22] After officials say lightning hit a gas storage tank, [14:25] a tornado there also turning deadly. [14:28] Nope, not going that way. [14:31] Trees down, completely blocking roads. [14:34] Before these strong storms hit Springtown last night, [14:37] a mobile home stood right here. [14:39] Now it's a pile of rubble 50 feet away. [14:42] And officials tell us a woman lost her life inside. [14:45] Meanwhile, extreme drought in the south, [14:48] fueling devastating wildfires. [14:50] Schools already closed in Georgia's Brantley County after hundreds of people either lost homes [14:55] or had to evacuate. [14:58] And winds ripping through Stagecoach Music Festival in California. [15:02] We are evacuating festivals due to severe weather. [15:06] Forcing tens of thousands of festival goers to flee at one point Saturday. [15:10] Back in Texas tonight, this part of the state is still in the risk zone for more severe weather on the way. [15:17] Ryan's joining us now from Springtown, Texas. [15:20] And Ryan, people cleaning up there, like the folks whose place you're standing in front of, [15:23] they may not have a ton of time to get ready for the next round of storms. [15:28] No, you're right, Hallie. [15:29] And you see the debris surrounding me. [15:31] It will certainly be a long road to recovery for so many here. [15:34] And that comes as the risk extends through tonight. [15:37] Some 19 million people from here in Texas all the way to Iowa at risk for damaging winds, [15:42] possible tornadoes and hail. [15:43] And the risk extends into the Midwest for millions more come tomorrow. [15:47] Hallie. [15:48] Ryan Chandler, thank you. [15:50] Still ahead for us tonight, the fading hope for a U.S. peace deal with Iran with talks suddenly called off. [15:58] New concerns tonight about the fate of U.S. peace talks with Iran [16:01] after President Trump called off the American delegation's trip to Pakistan this weekend. [16:05] Keir Simmons is there. [16:06] Tonight, Iran trying not to appear isolated. [16:11] Its foreign minister here in Pakistan for the second time in as many days [16:15] after meeting the Emir of Oman and phone calls with France, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. [16:21] But there will be no face-to-face with the U.S. for now. [16:24] This week's high security in Islamabad dismantled today. [16:28] Iranian officials had said no direct U.S. negotiations were planned, [16:32] but President Trump says he called off a meeting. [16:35] We're not going to spend 15 hours in airplanes all the time going back and forth [16:40] to be giving a document that was not good enough. [16:45] And so we'll deal by telephone and they can call us anytime they want. [16:50] At meetings this weekend, Iranian state media says the foreign minister argued the U.S. military [16:56] should leave the Middle East, while President Trump insisting after last night's security incident. [17:01] It's not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran. [17:06] For now, that means a stalemate in the Strait of Hormuz. [17:10] CENTCOM saying tonight it intercepted an oil tanker serving Iran and sanctioned by the U.S. [17:16] While from Iran tonight, new images of two cargo ships it seized last week. [17:22] Meanwhile, renewed strikes between Israel and Iranian proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon, [17:28] despite a three-week ceasefire. [17:29] This is a fragile peace with no diplomatic resolution in sight. [17:34] Tonight, Iran's foreign minister has left Islamabad for Moscow, where he will meet with President Putin. [17:41] The Russian foreign ministry telling state media the purpose is negotiations. [17:46] Ali? [17:47] Keir Simmons in Islamabad. Thank you. [17:49] We are back in a moment with the wild ride for a police officer here [17:52] after he falls into the car of a suspect who then takes off. [17:56] We are learning more tonight about a deadly shooting inside a Chicago hospital [18:01] that left one police officer dead and another in critical condition. [18:05] Police say it happened while the officers were bringing the suspect to the hospital to be checked out [18:09] after he was arrested on something separate. [18:11] The officer who was killed was 38 years old, a 10-year veteran of the department. [18:16] And some dramatic moments out in California where surveillance video, look here, [18:20] shows this police officer responding to a reported robbery. [18:22] So there he is. He reaches into the car. [18:24] But that's when the driver takes off. [18:26] The officer falls inside. [18:28] Body cam video shows the two fighting for control of the car. [18:32] You see it here as it's going racing down the road. [18:34] Listen to this. [18:35] Stop the car. [18:37] I'm going to go down, bro. [18:38] Just stop the car or I will shoot you. [18:41] The suspected thief was later arrested. [18:43] And that officer managed to walk away from this whole thing unhurt. [18:47] And finally, a record shattered at the London Marathon today. [18:51] Sebastian Sawe from Kenya finishing the race in one hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds. [18:56] Now becoming the first person to ever run an official marathon in under two hours. [19:02] A huge deal and a big congratulations to him. [19:06] When we come back, there is good news tonight about a new attitude in this new spring season, [19:10] giving everyone something to look forward to. [19:14] And finally, there is good news tonight about the start of spring [19:22] and the new possibilities in bloom for all of us. [19:26] Spring now in full swing across the country. [19:34] It finally feels like it. [19:36] Seeing the people out and the beautiful weather. [19:40] It can't be beat. [19:42] A nation waking up to bask in the sunshine and celebrate the buds of new beginnings. [19:48] For me, it's always been like a rebirth when everything is in bloom. [19:53] Waking up in the morning and seeing the sun outside my window. [19:56] Really looking forward just to the nicer weather. [19:58] Everyone seems so much happier. [20:02] Looking to brighter days ahead. [20:05] Something good that happened to me is Winston, welcome to the world. [20:10] And with a new chapter, excitement for a new generation. [20:16] The most beautiful in my life was him. [20:20] I'm always excited about my grandkids. [20:22] I'm just getting to spend time with him every day. [20:25] Plus wishes for more memories with the people we love most. [20:29] What makes me happy is hugging my mom. [20:31] Everything comes down to community. [20:34] A time for finding ourselves. [20:38] Figuring out what I want to be when I grow up. [20:41] There's so much yet that I still would like to try and do. [20:45] Discovering myself makes me happy, too. [20:47] Getting to know who I am. [20:50] A little romance, too. [20:52] Ah, right there. [20:54] My wife, when she's smiling. [20:56] My son got engaged to a beautiful lady. [20:58] Spending time with my better half. [21:00] Every day that I spend with my girlfriend, I get to know her better and better. [21:05] A reminder to take nothing for granted and to stop and smell the roses. [21:12] Good news for all of us. [21:13] That's nightly news for this Sunday. [21:14] Stay with us for the NBA on NBC and a doubleheader tonight, [21:18] starting with the Celtics against the Sixers. [21:20] I'm Hallie Jackson. [21:21] For all of us here at NBC News, thanks for watching and have a great week. [21:24] We thank you for watching and remember, stay updated on breaking news and top stories on the NBC News app [21:35] or watch live on our YouTube channel.