Who is Cole Tomas Allen, suspect in shooting at Trump event?

A suspect who was apprehended following the gunfire that erupted during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday (April 25) night has been identified by law enforcement officials as Cole Tomas Allen, aged 31. He belongs to Torrance, California.

The man was reportedly equipped with several firearms and knives when he forcibly entered the lobby of a hotel in Washington, D.C., where the dinner event was underway. In the aftermath of the assault that included a few rounds of firing, US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and members of the cabinet were evacuated from the ballroom. Vice President JD Vance was also present.

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While an officer of the Secret Service wearing a bulletproof vest was shot at, Trump said in a press conference after the ordeal, Allen was held before he could enter the ballroom. He also shared a picture of Allen lying down on his Truth Social platform.

Allen was initially identified publicly by the Associated Press, which referenced unnamed law enforcement sources. Additionally, another official, who was not permitted to speak publicly regarding the ongoing investigation, said that Allen was the suspect and that authorities were trying to secure warrants to search locations linked to him in Torrance, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Allen worked as tutor

CBS News reported that Allen served as a tutor in Torrance following his graduation from the esteemed California Institute of Technology in 2017. He has a degree in mechanical engineering. Authorities said he was a guest at the hotel where the dinner was taking place. Allen even took part in a

In 2014, Allen took part in an undergraduate research Fellowship programme at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Contributed to Kamala Harris' campaign

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) said that in October 2024, Allen contributed $25 to ActBlue, a political action committee dedicated to fundraising for Democrats, the LA Times reported. This money was specially designated for the presidential campaign of Kamala Harris the same year. It remains Allen’s only political donation recorded on the FEC website over the last decade.

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Allen, who holds no party affiliation for voting purposes, participated in the Christian fellowship during his days at the California Institute of Technology and was also a member of the nerf club, as indicated on his LinkedIn profile.

Also a game developer

A profile on the platform in his name described him as a “mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, teacher by birth”. It also identifies him as a game developer, engineer, scientist, and educator.

Allen obtained a master’s degree in computer science from Cal State Dominguez Hills in 2025, as stated in a commencement programme.

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In December 2024, Allen was recognised as teacher of the month at C2 Education, a Torrance-based non-profit which focuses on college test preparation, tutoring, and academic advising, the LA Times report said. Allen tutored several high-school students there. He also won the 'Teacher of Month' accolade at C2 Education in December 2024.

Following the man’s apprehension, both local and federal police forces converged on the Torrance area, where he reportedly lived with his family.

Allen is currently receiving treatment in the hospital and is likely to be formally charged on Monday (April 27).