The suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting has been identified in reports as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California.
While Donald Trump has confirmed the arrest, authorities have not yet officially verified the suspect’s identity.
Who Is Cole Tomas Allen?
Cole Tomas Allen is reported to be a resident of Torrance, California, with an academic background in engineering and computer science.
According to available details, he graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 with an engineering degree and later completed a master’s in computer science in 2025.
Some unverified reports also describe him as a teacher in Los Angeles County, though officials have not confirmed this.
Identity yet to be officially confirmed
Despite circulating details, law enforcement agencies have not formally confirmed the suspect’s name.
Photos shared by Donald Trump on social media appear to show a man, identified in reports as Allen, lying on the ground at the Washington Hilton surrounded by security personnel.
Authorities have so far refrained from releasing official identification as the investigation continues.
Arrest and current status
The suspect is currently in custody following the shooting incident at the high-profile event in Washington.
Officials said he was later transported to a local hospital for evaluation. He is expected to face multiple federal charges, with an arraignment scheduled for Monday.
Motive still under investigation
Authorities have not yet determined a clear motive behind the attack.
While speculation has surfaced online, law enforcement agencies have not confirmed any political affiliation or ideological link.
President Donald Trump described the attacker as a “lone wolf” and “a very sick person,” reiterating that he does not believe the incident is connected to the Iran war.
The incident has triggered a joint investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service.
Officials are examining how the suspect managed to approach a high-security event with multiple weapons, including a shotgun, handgun, and knives.
