A man suspected of being the shooter who fired shots outside the White House correspondents’ dinner, leading to the evacuation of Donald Trump, was identified as Cole Tomas Allen. The incident occurred during the annual dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel, attended by 2,500 people, including Donald and Melania Trump, as well as JD Vance. President Trump referred to the suspect as a “lone wolf whack job.”
Allen, aged 31, is reported to have been a member of a student prank group that engaged in activities like raiding buildings. Despite being highly educated and working as a part-time teacher and video game developer, Allen’s alleged involvement in the shooting has raised concerns.
Having obtained a degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 2017, Allen was known to have been associated with various campus groups, including a Christian fellowship and a NERF club. The NERF club, which uses toy weapons for recreational purposes, was part of Allen’s college experience in the early 2010s.
Additionally, Allen was recognized for his achievements in developing innovative solutions, such as a prototype emergency brake for wheelchairs during his time at Caltech. His academic journey continued with a Master of Science in Computer Science from California State University-Dominguez Hills.
In his professional life, Allen worked part-time as a teacher at a test prep and tutoring company, C2 Education, where he was honored as “teacher of the month” in December 2024. His LinkedIn profile also indicated his involvement in video game development projects, including a game titled “First Law.”
The suspect is expected to face multiple charges, including using a firearm during a violent crime, and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. This incident marks the third time since 2024 that President Trump has faced a threat from an attacker nearby, underscoring the ongoing security challenges surrounding his public appearances.