Cole Tomas Allen has been named by US authorities as a 31-year-old Californian arrested on Saturday night in Washington DC after a gunman allegedly tried to storm the White House Correspondents' Association dinner attended by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.
Allen is accused of opening fire outside the event, forcing Trump's security detail to evacuate the president and triggering scenes of panic as guests ducked for cover.
The attack unfolded at the Washington Hilton, where presidents, Hollywood stars and senior journalists gather each year for the closely watched black-tie dinner. According to officials, a man armed with 'multiple weapons' attempted to break through security.
One Secret Service officer was shot and taken to hospital, with a bulletproof vest understood to have prevented far more serious injuries. The suspect was detained at the scene and has since been identified as Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, a coastal city in Los Angeles County.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooter was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives, according to DC police chief Jeffrey Carroll.The shooter was identified as 31-year-old teacher Cole Allen from Torrance, California.The suspect emerged from a "makeshift…pic.twitter.com/aUK5m6AwCr
Allen was first publicly named by the Associated Press, which cited unnamed law enforcement sources. Investigators are reported to have obtained search warrants and to be combing through his home and digital footprint, while a possible motive remains officially undisclosed.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said Allen is 'being charged with two counts of using a firearm and one count of assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon' and signalled that more counts are likely. In stark language, she added, 'This individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could.'
Who is Cole Tomas Allen as charges he faces over White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting are revealedhttps://t.co/xl4GHbfeNA
So far, authorities have not alleged any formal political conspiracy, but officials have acknowledged that Allen is known to have supported Democrats. Records cited in US reports show that in October 2024 he donated $25 to ActBlue, a fundraising platform for Democratic campaigns.
The contribution was earmarked for Kamala Harris' presidential bid and appears to be his only political donation listed on Federal Election Commission filings over the past decade.
Source: International Business Times UK
