The suspect in the attack on the White House Correspondents' Dinner has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from California, according to multiple reports. Allen was staying as a guest at the Washington Hilton hotel, police said, and was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives, authorities confirmed. He attempted to enter the ballroom where the dinner was taking place but was subdued by security before he could enter, according to six media sources. During the incident, shots were fired, and a Secret Service agent was lightly injured after being hit in the vest, two major media outlets reported. The exact number of shots fired remains unclear; TV4 Nyheterna reported four or five shots, while other sources did not specify a count.
Approximately ten minutes before the attack, Allen sent a manifesto to family members, according to police and the New York Post. The manifesto, attributed to Allen, called Trump a 'pedophile, rapist, and traitor' and expressed anti-Christian hatred. The contents of the manifesto have not been released in full, but authorities are analyzing it to determine Allen's motives.
Allen's background reveals a highly educated individual with a master's degree in computer science from California State University-Dominguez Hills, according to online profiles. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Caltech in 2017, per his online resume, and worked as a tutor at C2 Education for six years. Online posts indicate he also developed a video game on Steam based on molecular chemistry.
That's f***ing awesome.
President Trump was evacuated from the dinner shortly after shots were heard at about 20:35 ET, according to research. Secret Service agents rushed to Trump and escorted him and his cabinet out of the room, research shows. Trump later wrote on Truth Social at 21:17 that the alleged gunman had been apprehended, and at 21:36 he said he was leaving the Washington Hilton at the request of law enforcement. At a news conference at 22:30 alongside FBI chief Kash Patel and Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump stated, "I fought like hell to stay, but they said, 'Sir, you have to go.'" He also remarked, "Assassins target the most impactful people," and said the impression was that the suspect was a lone wolf. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Trump and administration officials were likely targets.
Allen is expected in court on Monday on firearm and assault charges, authorities said. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated at about 23:15 that authorities plan to formally charge the suspect in federal court on Monday, according to research. Trump held a news conference at 22:30 alongside FBI chief Kash Patel and Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche, research shows. Trump shared footage that appears to show the start of the shooting at 22:29.
Reactions from public figures emerged quickly. According to The Independent - Main, UFC CEO Dana White described the shooting as "f***ing awesome." According to Metro - Main, RFK Jr. described himself as "very hungry" after being evacuated.
I'm very hungry.
Security concerns were raised by attendees. Swedish journalist Ginna Lindberg, who was at the dinner, noted a lack of ID check, according to her account. Eyewitnesses reported that shots were heard at the Washington Hilton at about 20:35 ET, and Secret Service agents rushed to Donald Trump and escorted him and his cabinet out of the room shortly after, research shows.
Allen's family has been drawn into the investigation. According to federal officers, Allen's sister said he bought weapons from a California store and stored them at their parents' home. Allen's brother alerted authorities about the manifesto, according to reported information. Live pictures showed a police search of a property in Torrance, California at about 23:10, research shows.
Several questions remain unanswered. Allen's exact motive and whether he acted alone are still under investigation. How he managed to bring multiple weapons into the hotel undetected is unclear, especially if he was a guest, which raises questions about hotel security. The specific charges he will face and his current medical condition have not been disclosed. Authorities are also investigating whether there were any other potential targets or accomplices, and what security lapses allowed the incident to occur at a high-profile event.