The 31-year-old tutor and game developer was subdued after breaching a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
The man behind the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, attended by President Donald Trump and senior cabinet members, has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old part-time teacher and video game developer from Torrance, Southern California.
According to CNN, law enforcement sources confirmed Allen was the armed suspect overpowered near the Washington Hilton venue, where the President and other top officials had gathered.
Public records show Allen worked part-time at C2 Education, a tutoring and test preparation firm, where he was named “teacher of the month” in December 2024. His LinkedIn profile lists a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology (2017) and a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
As a student, he featured in a 2017 local news report for developing a prototype emergency brake for wheelchairs. Allen also described himself as an independent game developer, having published Bohrdom on Steam. Records indicate he registered a trademark for the game in 2018 and was “currently developing a second game, working name ‘First Law.’”
Federal Election Commission data reveals Allen made a $25 donation to Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in October 2024.
Authorities state the suspect was armed with multiple weapons and apprehended after breaching a security checkpoint at the event. The incident sparked panic at the high-profile gathering, forcing the evacuation of President Trump, the First Lady, and other dignitaries. One Secret Service agent was struck by gunfire but survived after the bullet hit a protective vest.
Investigations remain ongoing, with officials yet to establish a motive.
