WASHINGTON – The man who authorities say attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with guns and knives has been charged with the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump. Saturday’s chaotic encounter resulted in shots being fired, Trump being rushed off the stage, and guests ducking underneath their tables. Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, was taken into custody after the shooting and appeared in court Monday to face federal charges.
According to an FBI affidavit, Allen allegedly reserved a room at the Washington hotel where the event would be held weeks later and traveled from California to Washington on a train. The 31-year-old man, armed with a shotgun and pistol, tried to pass a security barricade near the ballroom holding journalists and guests, leading to an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service agents.
The Justice Department charged Allen with the attempted assassination of President Trump and two additional firearms counts. A Secret Service officer was shot but survived due to wearing a bullet-resistant vest. The suspect, Allen, was injured but not shot. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the attack, stating it was perpetrated by a “crazed anti-Trump individual.”
Allen’s email revealed some details on his motive, referring to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and expressing grievances over various Trump administration actions. He apologized to family, co-workers, and strangers he feared could be caught in the violence. Allen remains in custody pending further hearings.
Records show Allen as a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer, with voter registration listing his address in Torrance, California. He contributed to a Democratic Party political action committee and earned degrees in mechanical engineering and computer science from prestigious universities. Law enforcement agents were seen investigating his family home, but no one answered the door.
The suspect’s profile photo on LinkedIn shows him graduating with a master’s degree in computer science in May 2025. The investigation into the attempted assassination continues as Allen faces serious federal charges.
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