In the days and hours leading up to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, President Donald Trump’s appearance took center stage. Now, the focus has shifted to the suspect tackled by law enforcement, who officials say turned the glitzy DC event into a harrowing shooting.
As Trump and several senior members of his cabinet settled into their seats and began eating the salad course at the Washington Hilton’s ballroom the evening of April 25, a man charged a security checkpoint inside the hotel. He reportedly had multiple weapons. Gunshots rang out, sending guests diving under tables and chairs, while Trump, first lady Melania Trump and senior administration officials were whisked away. A Secret Service agent was injured in the melee.
A senior law enforcement official familiar with the investigation identified the suspect to USA TODAY as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California.
Allen was arraigned in federal court in Washington, D.C., Monday, April 27, where he was charged with attempting to assassinate Trump, USA TODAY reported. Allen is facing charges of transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines with the intent to commit a felony and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Sharbaugh said. If convicted of the assassination attempt, Allen could face life behind bars, Sharbaugh said.
Here is what we know about the suspected California gunman at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
What investigators disclosed about suspect in WHCD shooting
Police are piecing together details about Allen and a possible motive, though Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said it appears he was targeting Trump and members of his administration. Blanche said on “Fox News Sunday” and also on NBC News on April 26 that investigators were searching through the suspect’s emails and other writings, though he did not elaborate on what they might have uncovered so far.
The FBI’s Los Angeles field office served a court-approved search warrant at a home in Torrance, in Southern California, just hours after the shooting, according to Laura Eimiller, an FBI Los Angeles spokeswoman. She did not comment on what agents found at the home or how any evidence they may have collected might be linked to the suspect.
In separate television interviews, Trump referenced the suspect’s writings and stated, without specific evidence, that he was motivated by religious, anti-Christian hatred. A senior law enforcement official told USA TODAY that Allen sent a message to family members before the dinner began, referring to himself as a “friendly federal assassin” and expressing grievances about the Trump administration.
While more information will likely develop today and in the coming days, Allen’s social media footprint provides some insight into his background.
Who is Cole Tomas Allen? What we know
Allen posted on LinkedIn that he received his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 and his master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2025.
Professor Bin Tang, who teaches computer science at California State University, Dominguez Hills, told USA TODAY in an email that Allen took a few of his classes while earning his master’s degree. He described his former student as a polite, soft-spoken and attentive student who would often email him with academic questions.
The suspect appeared in a 2017 segment on KABC-TV about a conference showcasing inventions aimed at improving the lives of seniors. In the video, Allen demonstrates a prototype for a wheelchair with an emergency brake that he developed. USA TODAY has reached out to KABC-TV for comment.
He listed his employment as a teacher in a $25 donation to then-Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, and his LinkedIn profile indicated he’s been a part-time teacher at C2 Education, a national tutoring and college counseling program in Torrance. In December 2024, C2 named him the “Teacher of the Month” and posted a photo on the group’s social media.
Allen is registered to vote in California with “no party preference.”
‘Connection is deeply troubling,’ California mayor says
The community of Torrance, often touted for its safety, has been left in shock over Allen’s ties to the city. The home searched by the FBI sits just blocks away from the city’s quaint downtown and one of its four high schools.
Shortly after reports surfaced that Allen was from Torrance, the city’s mayor condemned his actions.
“We are aware of reports identifying the suspect as a resident of Torrance. While that connection is deeply troubling, one individual’s alleged actions do not define our city or the values of the more than 143,000 residents who call Torrance home,” George Chen said in a statement shared on Facebook. “Torrance is a community built on respect, diversity, hard work, and public safety.”
In an email sent to parents late Saturday evening, Torrance Unified School District officials assured the community the alleged shooter was not affiliated with the district.
“While details are still emerging and facts remain under investigation, early reports have referenced a teacher from Torrance as being involved … We want to clarify that the individual named in the news is not an employee of the Torrance Unified School District and has never worked in our district,” the district wrote.
In a statement on Instagram, Dylan Wakayama, president of the Torrance-based Asian American Civic Trust, said Allen tutored student volunteers from the organization in his capacity as a tutor with C2 Education, some as recently as April 14.
“According to these students, Mr. Allen was knowledgeable across a broad range of subjects and generally very intelligent,” Wakayama said in his statement. “They regarded him as entirely normal and friendly in their interactions. Additionally, they expressed profound shock upon learning he may be connected to the events of April 25th.”
Contributing: Michael Collins, Josh Meyer, James Powel, USA TODAY.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Here’s what we know about California man suspected in D.C. shooting
Reporting by Kathryn Palmer and Daniella Segura, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
