Police arrested Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, after shots were fired near the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel on Saturday evening. Several shots were heard outside the ballroom where President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other attendees were present. Secret Service agents rushed to Trump and escorted him and his cabinet out of the room shortly after shots were heard at about 20:35 ET, according to US media reports. Trump later posted on social media that he was leaving the hotel at the request of law enforcement at 21:36, and that the alleged gunman had been apprehended at 21:17.
Allen is a mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, and an independent game developer and teacher by experience, according to multiple media reports. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 and a master's degree in computer science from California State University-Dominguez Hills, three sources reported. Allen worked as a teacher at C2 Education for six years and was named 'Teacher of the Month' in December 2024, according to major media. He also developed a video game for the Steam platform based on molecular chemistry, four sources reported. During his time at Caltech, Allen was involved in a Christian student fellowship and a campus group that battled with Nerf guns, according to multiple reports. In his senior year, he developed a prototype for a new type of emergency brake for wheelchairs, ABC Los Angeles reported, as cited by The Independent. On his social media, Allen described himself as a 'mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, teacher by birth.'
Police said Allen was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives. He was staying as a guest at the Washington Hilton hotel where the dinner was held, according to DC Metro Police Chief Jeffery W. Carroll. Allen faces firearm and assault charges, including assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon, police said. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said authorities plan to formally charge the suspect in federal court on Monday, according to research. Allen is expected in court on Monday. He was tackled to the ground and not injured, but was evaluated at a hospital, police said.
Mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, teacher by birth.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear, but Allen told law enforcement he wanted to shoot Trump administration officials, CBS reported, as cited by Euronews. However, police said Allen had no criminal record and had not raised any alarms for law enforcement in Washington DC. This contradiction affects understanding of whether the attack was targeted or indiscriminate. Additionally, there is a discrepancy in the charges reported: some sources say Allen faces two firearm-related charges, while police say he faces firearm and assault charges including assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon. This could indicate different stages of the legal process or reporting errors.
President Donald Trump held a news conference from the White House alongside FBI chief Kash Patel and Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche at 22:30, research shows. Trump described Allen as a 'lone wolf' and a 'wacko' during the press conference. US media named the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen at about 22:50, according to US media including CBS. Live pictures showed a police search of a property in Torrance, California at about 23:10, research indicates.
Several unknowns remain. Allen's specific motive for the shooting has not been confirmed. It is unclear whether he had any accomplices or was definitively acting alone. The specific charges to be filed and the exact timing of his court appearance are still to be determined. How Allen obtained the weapons and what his plan was also remain unknown. Police have not confirmed whether anyone besides the suspect was injured.