The suspected attacker in a shooting that disrupted a press gala attended by U.S. President Donald Trump has been identified by news media as a 31-year-old mechanical engineer from California. The incident occurred outside the ballroom where the White House Correspondents' Association dinner was held on Saturday.
Suspect Identification
Multiple U.S. news outlets, citing law enforcement sources, have identified the man as Cole Tomas Allen, from Torrance, California. U.S. officials have not yet publicly confirmed the suspect's identity. A LinkedIn profile under the name "Cole Allen" displayed a picture matching the photo shared by Trump, showing a man with brown hair and a mustache.
Professional Background
On his social media profile, Allen described himself as a "mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, teacher by birth." He graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 with an undergraduate degree and completed a computer science master's degree from California State University Dominguez Hills last year. Allen also developed an indie game called "Bohrdom," described as a "skill-based, non-violent" fighting game based on a chemistry model.
C2 Education, a test-prep company in Torrance, named Allen as "teacher of the month" in a December 2024 Instagram post, showing a man with a half-smile wearing a navy blue quarter-zip sweater.
Incident Details
Hours after the shooting, Trump shared a photo of the suspect handcuffed and face down on the carpeted floor. The suspect was detained at the scene and is due to be arraigned on Monday on firearm and assault charges. Authorities reported he was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives, and was not known to Washington's Metropolitan Police Department.
Trump described the suspect as a "lone wolf" and believed the gunman was "sick," though the motivation remains unclear. FBI tactical agents were seen entering a gabled two-story residence in Torrance associated with the suspect, which was cordoned off with police lights.
