A highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer, Cole Tomas Allen has been identified in connection with the attack at the Washington media dinner.
More details are now emerging about his background as investigators piece together his profile.
Armed with three items
The man accused of opening fire inside the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, a California resident from Torrance in the Los Angeles area.
Authorities say Allen allegedly exchanged gunfire with Secret Service agents after attempting to breach a security checkpoint at the event, which was attended by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
He was later taken into custody and transported to hospital for evaluation. Officials confirmed he was not struck by gunfire.
Investigators describe Allen as a possible “lone actor” and are now examining his background, online activity, and potential motive. According to law enforcement, he was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives at the time of the incident.
Some reports suggest he may have fired shots before being subdued.
Law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that Allen legally purchased a .38-caliber semiautomatic pistol in October 2023 and later acquired a 12-gauge shotgun in 2025.
Allen’s online profiles and public records portray him as a highly educated individual. He graduated from Caltech in 2017 with a degree in mechanical engineering and later earned a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills. He also worked part-time as a teacher at C2 Education and was named “Teacher of the Month” in 2024.
Message sent to family members
Professionally, he described himself as a game developer and indie creator, releasing a game called Bohrdom on Steam. He also worked in education for several years, teaching test preparation and college counseling.
In a message sent to family members shortly before the attack, the 31-year-old referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and criticized recent U.S. government actions under the Trump administration, according to a copy obtained by The Associated Press.
According to the New York Post, Allen wrote in a document that his “targets” were “Administration officials (not including [FBI Director Kash] Patel)… prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest.” Officials said the message was sent roughly 10 minutes before the shooting on Saturday night.
In the same writings, he added:
“I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” statement that investigators believe was apparently referring to the president.
But Allen did not directly name the Republican president.
The writings, which ran to more than a thousand words, were described as a rambling and deeply personal message. They began abruptly with a casual “hello everybody!” before shifting into apologies directed at family members, co-workers, fellow travelers, and even strangers he feared might be harmed. The note moved between confession, grievance, and farewell, with Allen expressing gratitude toward people in his life while also attempting to explain the attack.
Oldest of four siblings
California voter registration records list Allen’s address as his parents’ home in Torrance, a tree-lined neighborhood in the Los Angeles metro area.
Public records also indicate he is the oldest of four siblings, with two younger sisters and a brother. When reporters from the Associated Press visited the family home, they saw a yard sign outside supporting a local judicial candidate who was reportedly endorsed by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.
Federal campaign finance records show Cole Allen also donated $25 to a Democratic-aligned political action committee supporting Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, listing his employer as C2 Education.
A 2024 Facebook post from C2 Education named Allen as “teacher of the month.” The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and its Torrance office was closed on Sunday.
Allen’s LinkedIn profile shows him graduating in May 2025 with a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
His profile photo features him in a cap and gown. Computer science professor Bin Tang told the AP that Allen took several of his courses, describing him as a focused and engaged student.
“He was a very good student indeed, always sitting in the first row of my class, paying attention, and frequently emailing me with coursework questions. Soft-spoken, very polite, a good fellow. I am very shocked to see the news,” Tang wrote.
Likely already inside
Allen previously earned a mechanical engineering degree from the California Institute of Technology in 2017, a highly selective university in Pasadena. His profile also notes involvement in a campus Nerf-gun group and a Christian fellowship.
His father, Thomas Allen, is listed as an elder at Grace United Reformed Church in Torrance, described by the congregation as a Bible-believing church. Security was visibly increased around the church on Sunday as reporters were kept outside.
Online posts attributed to Allen also describe independent game development projects, including a chemistry-inspired game released on Steam and work on a “top-down shooter” set in space.
Authorities say Allen was likely already inside or connected to the hotel before the attack, raising questions about how he accessed the venue and weapons.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said investigators believe Allen traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. by train, likely routing through Chicago, which he suggested may have been an effort to avoid airport security screening.
Criticized security
In writings attributed to Allen, he also appeared to criticize security at the Washington Hilton, claiming he was able to enter the venue armed without being stopped:
“Like, the one thing that I immediately noticed walking into the hotel is the sense of arrogance. I walk in with multiple weapons and not a single person there considers the possibility that I could be a threat,”
He went on to describe what he saw as poor security planning:
“The security at the event is all outside, focused on protestors and current arrivals, because apparently no one thought about what happens if someone checks in the day before. Like, this level of incompetence is insane, and I very sincerely hope it’s corrected by the time this country gets actually competent leadership again.”
He added a further remark referencing the ease of access he claimed to have had:
“Like, if I was an Iranian agent, instead of an American citizen, I could have brought a damn Ma Deuce in here and no one would have noticed s–t,” before concluding: “Actually insane.”
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro confirmed Allen faces federal charges, including assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during a violent crime. He is expected to appear in court on Monday as the investigation continues into how he planned and carried out the attack.
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