The man arrested after gunfire erupted inside the hotel hosting the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has been identified by law enforcement as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, a resident of Torrance in the Los Angeles area of California.
Authorities say the suspect was detained by security agents inside the Washington Hilton hotel shortly after shots were fired. According to law enforcement sources cited by CBS, Allen allegedly told officials after his arrest that he intended to target individuals within the Trump administration.
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a televised interview that investigators are still determining the full motive, but early findings suggest the suspect was aiming at members of former President Donald Trump’s administration, and possibly Trump himself.
Officials also revealed that Allen is believed to have assembled the weapon inside the hotel and was quickly stopped before breaching secure areas. Blanche noted that the suspect “barely broke the perimeter” before being apprehended.
Police reports indicate that between five and eight shots may have been fired during the incident, with security personnel and the suspect exchanging gunfire. However, Allen was not struck and was later taken to hospital for evaluation.
Authorities say the suspect was carrying multiple weapons, including a shotgun, a handgun, and knives, and is believed to have acted alone.
US media reports further suggest that investigators are reviewing a document described as a manifesto, allegedly outlining intentions to target officials across different levels of government. The contents have not been independently verified.
Additional reporting indicates Allen had a background in engineering and education, and had previously worked as a teacher while also engaging in game development projects. Online records show no strong political affiliation, though some past political contributions and social media activity are under review as part of the investigation.
He now faces federal charges, including assault on a federal officer and use of a firearm during a violent crime, and is expected to appear in court for formal proceedings.
