Cole Tomas Allen Charged After White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting Targets Officials
US President Donald Trump and his officials were the “likely” targets of a suspected gunman who attempted to storm the White House Correspondents' Dinner, acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche has stated. The suspect, identified by US media as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was apprehended after police reported gunfire near a security checkpoint during the event at a Washington DC hotel on Saturday.
Mr Blanche, speaking to NBC News, confirmed that the alleged gunman's motive remains under investigation, though “preliminary” findings suggest a specific targeting of administration officials. The FBI's criminal division and terrorism task force are conducting inquiries into the incident. Mr Trump, swiftly moved from the stage to safety, later commented on the dangers faced by the profession. A White House statement on Sunday described the event as an “assassination attempt” on the President and Cabinet members.
Police stated Mr Allen was carrying two firearms and knives. Investigators are reviewing writings from the suspect, which explicitly detail his intent to target administration officials, according to a senior US official speaking to CBS News. A family member had alerted authorities after receiving these writings prior to the attack, though they reportedly did not mention the dinner specifically.
An officer sustained injuries but has since been discharged from hospital, with a bulletproof vest credited for averting further harm. Mr Allen, who identifies as a mechanical engineer, game developer, and teacher on LinkedIn, is from Torrance, California, where an address linked to him is currently under search. He faces formal charges in federal court on Monday, including assault of a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Mr Trump, attending the dinner for the first time as President, used the aftermath to advocate for a new White House ballroom, claiming the incident would not have occurred with his “Militarily Top Secret Ballroom currently under construction” – a project that has faced legal challenges. This marks the third reported assassination threat against Mr Trump during his presidency, following incidents in July and September 2024.
