The suspect has been identified as a man from California

07:00, Sun, Apr 26, 2026 Updated: 14:28, Sun, Apr 26, 2026

washington

The suspected shooter at the White House Correspondents Dinner was identified as Cole Tomas Allen (Image: (Donald Trump/ Truth Social))

The suspected shooter at the White House Correspondents' Dinner has been identified. The shooting suspect was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California. Officials told reporters after the incident that Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives.

Chaos erupted when a 'lone wolf' opened fire at the annual Washington, D.C., on Saturday (April 25). Donald Trump and Melania Trump were quickly rushed out of the Washington Hilton’s ballroom as the shooter opened fire. Allen is understood to have been a guest in the Washington Hilton hotel where the event was being held and faces charges including assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but acting attorney general Todd Blanche said additional charges will be filed. He reportedly ran into the hotel foyer, trying to get past security officers and metal detectors, at about 12.25am GMT.

Get the latest news from around the world and more Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Suspected White House Correspondents' Dinner shooter Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, is facing at least three charges

Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California (Image: Facebook)

Loud bangs could be heard, prompting the Secret Service to rush in and escort the President and First Lady Melania Trump out of the ballroom as they called out “stay down, stay down”.

Since Allen's identification, it has been reported that he is a graduate of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2017, according to his online profiles. He went on to complete a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2025, according to a LinkedIn profile in his name. His profile describes him as a mechanical engineer and computer scientist by education and a teacher by profession.

Allen reportedly worked for several years as a part-time teacher with C2 Education, a private tutoring and college admissions preparation company. A social media post from the company in 2024 listed him as “Teacher of the Month” at its Torrance office. Facebook posts linked to him also show involvement in tutoring high school students preparing for college entrance exams.

In a post on his Truth Social account, Mr Trump said: "Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we 'LET THE SHOW GO ON' but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again."

Gunshots Fired In Lobby Of Hotel Hosting The White House Correspondents' Dinner With President Trump

Today's shooting incident took place at the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Avenue (Image: Getty)

A second post followed shortly after, which read: " Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately. I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room. The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition. We will be speaking to you in a half an hour. I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days."

He then posted multiple pictures of Allen, who was apprehended on the floor.

Mr Trump was attending the annual event for the first time as president. First Lady Melania Trump, Vice-President JD Vance and hundreds of journalists, media personalities, and government officials were also in attendance.

Today's shooting incident took place at the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Avenue - the same hotel in which Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded in 1981. On March 30, 1981, the offender, John Hinckley Jr, shot at Mr Reagan as he was returning to his limousine after a speaking engagement inside the hotel. The 40th president survived, but was seriously wounded by a bullet which ricocheted off the side of a presidential limousine and hit him in the torso, breaking a rib and puncturing one of his lungs.