31-Year-Old Californian Identified as Suspected Gunman at Washington Press Dinner

Authorities have named Cole Tomas Allen as the individual detained following a shooting incident at the Washington Hilton hotel during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night. The 31-year-old, hailing from Torrance in the Los Angeles area, was apprehended by security agents inside the venue, according to law enforcement sources.

“Preliminary findings suggest he was targeting administration officials, likely including President Donald Trump,” said acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche during Sunday’s interview with NBC’s Meet the Press. The motive remains under investigation, though investigators are examining reports that the alleged gunman had assembled his weapon on-site.

Blanche emphasized that the suspect “didn’t get very far” before being detained, noting he “barely broke the perimeter” of the hotel. The police chief, Jeffery Carroll, revealed the suspect had been a guest at the event and was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives. He was not hit by gunfire but was hospitalized for further assessment.

CBS reported that at least five to eight gunshots were fired during the incident. Surveillance footage shared by Trump on social media shows a person sprinting past security, who then pursued him. While police confirmed a confrontation occurred, they did not specify the exact number of rounds exchanged.

Suspect’s Background

CBS also cited its sources to detail the alleged gunman’s plans. Allen, who described himself as a mechanical engineer, game developer, and teacher on LinkedIn, has a documented history of academic and professional pursuits. He studied mechanical engineering at Caltech, participating in its Christian fellowship program, and later earned a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2025.

Allen’s LinkedIn profile highlights his career as a part-time educator at C2 Education, where he has been teaching since 2020. In December 2024, he was honored as “teacher of the month” by the organization, which provides tutoring and college test preparation services. On social media, images of Allen—linked to his arrest—show him smiling in family photos at Christmas and graduation events.

Political Ties and Donations

BBC Verify has analyzed the suspect’s online presence, uncovering his political activities. In October 2024, Allen contributed $25 (£18) to ActBlue, a fundraising platform, with the donation allocated toward Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. Despite this, his voter registration records indicate he had not affiliated with any political party.

Additionally, Allen developed and released a video game titled “Bohrdom” on Steam. The incident has prompted federal prosecutors to charge him with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. Formal charges are set for Monday in federal court.