Authorities have identified the man suspected of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner as a 31-year-old teacher and video game developer from Southern California.
Law enforcement sources named the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, a resident of Torrance, California. He was subdued near the venue, the Washington Hilton, where President Donald Trump and other top officials were gathered.
According to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, the suspect faces two counts related to firearm use and one count of assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
“This individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could,” Pirro said shortly after the incident.
Police said Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives when he forced his way through a security checkpoint. Authorities believe he acted alone, and no motive has yet been established.
Investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) later searched a residence linked to the suspect in Torrance, cordoning off the area as part of the ongoing probe.
Public records and online profiles indicate Allen worked part-time at C2 Education and had previously been recognized by the firm. He also had a background in engineering and computer science, with degrees from the California Institute of Technology and California State University Dominguez Hills.
In addition to teaching, he reportedly developed independent video games and had been working on new projects in recent years.
The shooting has raised fresh concerns about security at high-profile events in Washington, even as officials emphasize that swift intervention prevented casualties. Investigations into the suspect’s background and possible motive are ongoing.
