White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting: New details emerge on suspect Cole Tomas Allen

White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting: New details emerge on suspect Cole Tomas Allen
FBI agents leave residence associated with Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect in the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Association U.S., 26 April, 2026.
Reuters

According to U.S. media, Cole Tomas Allen, aged 31, carried guns and knives while he attempted to storm the White House Correspondents' Dinner in the Hilton Washington hotel on Saturday, 25 April 2026.

U.S. authorities say the man accused of opening fire near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner appears to have acted alone and was likely targeting members of the Trump administration, potentially including the president.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said there is no evidence so far of any foreign connection, including Iran. Blanche further said he does not think the suspect is cooperating with the inquiry. Federal charges are expected to be filed on Monday, including assault on a federal officer, discharging a firearm and attempting to kill a federal officer.

Cole Allen, suspect in the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, detained by law enforcement personnel, U.S., April 25, 2026.
Reuters

The suspect has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California. Blanche said Allen likely travelled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then on to Washington, where he was staying at the Washington Hilton hotel, the venue for the annual dinner. 

He was wounded during the incident and remains in hospital, with authorities saying he is expected to appear in federal court once formally charged.

What we know about the shooter: 
Cole Allen was apprehended by security following a shoot-out during the White House Correspondents Association Dinner, 26 April, 2026.
President Donald Trump via Truth Social

According to reports by the U.S. media, these are some of the facts known about the attacker: 

  • Identity: The suspect has been identified by law enforcement sources as Cole Tomas Allen, aged 31, according to CBS News.
  • Background: Allen is from Torrance, California, in the Los Angeles area, and is a graduate of the California Institute of Technology, class of 2017.
  • Employment: He worked for a tutoring firm in Torrance called C2 Education and received a “Teacher of the Month” award in December 2024, though it is unclear if he was still employed there at the time.
  • Location: Allen was a guest at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was being held.
  • Weapons: Police say he was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and knives when the incident unfolded.
Shattered glass at the Washington Hilton hotel, where a shooting at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner, U.S., 26 April, 2026.
Reuters
  • Intent: After being detained, Allen told law enforcement officials he wanted to shoot officials in the Trump administration, according to two sources cited by CBS.
  • Incident: Authorities say five to eight shots were fired during an exchange of gunfire between security officers and the suspect. 
  • Legal status: Prosecutors say Allen acted alone and is expected to be charged in federal court on Monday with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.

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