The man suspected of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday night worked as a teacher and video game developer from Southern California, according to public records. Cole Tomas Allen, 31, who lives in the Los Angeles suburb of Torrance, has been identified by law enforcement as the armed man subdued near the dinner where President Trump and other officials had gathered.
Allen is being charged with two counts of using a firearm and one count of assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, according to the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, who did not name him publicly. “This individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could,” Pirro said hours after the incident at the Washington Hilton.
The suspect was “armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives” when he charged through a security checkpoint, police said. No motive has been given and authorities believe Allen acted alone. Overnight into Sunday, FBI agents assembled outside a home linked to Allen in Torrance, a Los Angeles suburb. Police tape was put up along part of the street and a spotlight was shone on the home. A number of reporters were gathered at the scene and news helicopters were hovering overhead.
A next-door neighbor, who did not wish to be identified, told CNN he was not sure if Allen lived at the property. They said they did not see him often, but he was there “a couple of days ago.” The neighbor said the suspected gunman’s father is friendly and chatty, adding that they spoke frequently.
Allen graduated from California Institute of Technology in 2017 with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and later earned a master’s in computer science from California State University Dominguez Hills in 2025, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He had too posted about an independent video game he developed titled “Bohrdom,” described as an atomic fighting game. A WIRED review of public databases suggested Allen had a minimal online presence.
The incident occurred during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, a longstanding tradition that brings together journalists, politicians, and celebrities. President Donald Trump was evacuated from the venue by Secret Service agents following the disturbance.
Law enforcement officials have not released further details about Allen’s background or possible motivations, emphasizing that the investigation remains ongoing. The White House Correspondents’ Association has not issued a public statement as of Sunday morning.
Federal charges against Allen are being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. If convicted, he faces significant penalties under federal firearms and assault statutes.
As of the latest update, Allen remains in federal custody awaiting his initial court appearance. No trial date has been set.
For ongoing updates on this developing story, readers are encouraged to follow official statements from the Department of Justice and the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.
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