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Published 12:01 26 Apr 2026 GMT
Everything we know about the suspected White House Correspondents' Dinner shooter
The annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was suspended on Saturday after a gunman opened fire, sending guests scrambling for safety.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from California.
During the chaos, Donald Trump, Melania Trump, and other senior officials were quickly escorted out of the ballroom at the Washington Hilton.
Police say the suspect rushed security and began firing, striking a Secret Service agent before being overpowered and arrested. No guests were injured, and the event was ultimately called off.
In a post shared afterward, Trump confirmed the suspect had been detained and said he was “armed with multiple weapons.” At a later briefing, he added: “They seem to think he’s a lone wolf, and I feel that too.”
Who is the suspected shooter?
Multiple reports say Allen is from Torrance, California, near Los Angeles. He graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 and later earned a master’s in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2025.
At the time of his arrest, he was working as a teacher while also developing video games. One of his projects, “Bohrdom,” was described as a “skill-based, non-violent asymmetrical fighting game loosely derived from a chemistry model that is itself loosely based on reality.”
On LinkedIn, he described himself as a “mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, teacher by birth.” His listed causes included “Science and Technology.”
Allen had previously worked as a mechanical engineer and as a teaching assistant, and had taken part in robotics competitions during his studies.
What those who knew him have said
Neighbors described Allen himself as reserved when speaking to The Los Angeles Times. One neighbor said he felt Allen was “on the spectrum,” while Dylan Wakayama called him “very intelligent, proficient in biology, mathematics and science” and said people saw him as being on the “nicer, quiet side.”
Wakayama added: “They were completely shocked when I told them that this all went down… I think all of us in Torrance would be shocked if this is the man who attempted to kill the president of the United States.”
Police say the suspect charged through a security checkpoint inside the hotel, carrying a shotgun, handgun, and knives. He exchanged gunfire with officers before being subdued.
A Secret Service agent was shot but survived thanks to protective gear and is reportedly in good condition. Both the agent and the suspect were taken to the hospital.
Trump later described the attacker as “a sick person.”
Investigators are still working to determine how the suspect managed to get so close to the event. According to D.C. police chief Jeffery W. Carroll, officers have secured a hotel room believed to be linked to Allen, saying: “We have secured a room here in the hotel, and again, we'll go through the appropriate procedures to determine what was inside there.”
Reports suggest he travelled from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., via Chicago.
Jeanine Pirro confirmed Allen is facing two charges: use of a firearm during a violent crime and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison. He is expected to appear in federal court on Monday. For now, investigators say the motive behind the attack remains unknown.