Hours after an armed man allegedly tried to force his way into the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, investigators were still piecing together who he was and what may have motivated the attack.
Authorities identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old California man, according to officials familiar with the case. He is expected to face federal charges Monday. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said investigators believe Allen was targeting administration officials and may have intended to reach people inside the event, including President Donald Trump.
The dinner had just started Saturday night at the Washington Hilton when people inside heard a series of muffled bangs. Some attendees first thought something had fallen in the room. Seconds later, security agents rushed Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and others away from the front tables.
Guests dropped to the floor and hid under tables while officers moved through the ballroom. Phones came out fast. People were trying to understand what was happening in real time.
Law enforcement later said Allen was stopped outside the ballroom after trying to charge through a security checkpoint. Officials said he had a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives. Authorities also said gunfire was exchanged before he was taken into custody.
Trump later said one officer was shot but protected by a bulletproof vest and was recovering.
Investigators are now reviewing writings Allen allegedly sent to family members shortly before the attack. Officials described the message as a manifesto. Reports said it included apologies to family, co-workers and bystanders, while also expressing anger at the Trump administration.
Allen’s brother contacted police in New London, Connecticut, after receiving the writings, according to authorities. Local police said they were contacted late Saturday night by someone concerned about the shooting and then passed the information to federal agencies.
Allen’s sister also spoke with investigators, officials said. She told them her brother had a tendency to make radical statements and had talked about doing “something” to fix problems in the world. She also said he had purchased firearms and stored them at their parents’ home without their knowledge.
Authorities said Allen legally bought a handgun in 2023 and a shotgun in 2025. Federal agents later searched a home connected to him in Torrance, California.
Public records show Allen studied mechanical engineering at the California Institute of Technology and later earned a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills. He had worked as an engineer, created video games and recently worked as a tutor.
People who knew him described him as smart and quiet. Some said they were stunned by the allegations.
Inside the ballroom, organizers first said the dinner would continue. Trump also posted online that he wanted the event to go on. Later, after discussions with law enforcement, the dinner was postponed.
Officials said Allen has not cooperated with investigators. Authorities are examining his devices, interviewing people who knew him and preparing additional charges.
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