Suspect in White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting Identified
31-year-old Californian allegedly targeted Trump administration officials before being subdued by security
- Cole Tomas Allen, 31, identified as suspect in shooting at White House Correspondents' Dinner
- Authorities say he may have intended to target officials linked to Donald Trump
- Suspect arrested at scene; believed to have acted alone as investigations continue
Law enforcement officials have identified the man arrested after gunfire disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen.
Authorities say Allen, who is from Torrance in the Los Angeles area of California, was apprehended inside the Washington Hilton hotel where the high-profile event was being held on Saturday night.
According to sources cited by CBS, the suspect allegedly told investigators he intended to target officials within the administration of Donald Trump.
In an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the motive remains under investigation, though early findings suggest the attacker may have been aiming at senior government figures, possibly including the president.
Blanche noted that investigators are examining claims the suspect assembled his weapon inside the hotel, adding that he was stopped quickly. “He barely broke the perimeter,” he said, indicating the attack was contained before it could escalate further.
Authorities also believe Allen may have travelled by train from Los Angeles through Chicago before arriving in Washington, D.C..
Reports indicate that between five and eight shots may have been fired during the incident. Surveillance footage shared publicly shows a man rushing past security before officers pursued him. Police confirmed there was an exchange of gunfire between security personnel and the suspect.
Washington’s interim police chief, Jeffery Carroll, said the suspect was not shot but was taken to hospital for evaluation. He added that Allen was a guest at the hotel and was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives.
“At this point, it does appear he is a lone actor,” Carroll stated.
Following the incident, Trump shared an image on social media appearing to show the suspect restrained on the floor with Secret Service agents nearby.
Meanwhile, FBI agents and local police have carried out a search at a property in Torrance believed to be linked to the suspect.
Investigators are also reviewing Allen’s background. Records suggest he was registered without a political party affiliation. However, data from the Federal Election Commission indicates he made a small donation in 2024 through ActBlue in support of Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish a clear motive and determine whether anyone else may have been involved.
