Cole Allen, 31-year-old California teacher, ID’d as White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooter
WASHINGTON — Authorities have identified the man accused of opening fire during Saturday night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner as Cole Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California. President Trump described the suspect as a possible “lone wolf” and said he appeared dangerous.
According to a federal law enforcement source, Allen, who works as a teacher, was taken into custody after allegedly entering the Washington Hilton and moving aggressively toward the ballroom, where the president and approximately 2,500 attendees were gathered.
The shooting began shortly after 8:30 p.m. near the indoor security checkpoint as dinner service was underway. Secret Service agents quickly escorted President Trump out of the room, while cabinet members and guests took cover under tables before being evacuated.
A neighbor of Allen, who identified himself as Jeff Smith, said the suspect may have had behavioral issues, suggesting he “could be on the spectrum.” Video shared by the president on social media appears to show Allen firing a weapon and advancing toward the ballroom. During the incident, a law enforcement officer was struck by a bullet, though the impact was absorbed by a protective vest.
Washington, D.C., Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll said the suspect was carrying multiple weapons, including a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives. He added that investigators believe Allen acted alone and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Shortly afterward, President Trump addressed the media at the White House, standing beside First Lady Melania Trump, who appeared emotional as he referenced past attempts on his life.
The president said he initially mistook the sound of gunfire for something less serious. He explained that he heard a noise and thought it might have been a tray falling, adding that he hoped that was the case before realizing the situation.
Despite the disruption, President Trump said he intends to hold another correspondents’ dinner within 30 days and plans to revise remarks he had prepared for the evening. He also praised White House Correspondents’ Association president Weijia Jiang and expressed a desire to continue the event before being persuaded to leave for safety reasons.
The president emphasized that the incident would not change his approach, stating he remains committed to his work and refuses to be shaken.
When asked how the suspect managed to bring weapons into the venue, President Trump declined to comment. Security at the event included an outer perimeter where attendees showed credentials, but weapon screening only took place closer to the ballroom entrance.
One witness, Helen Mabus, said the suspect appeared to come from a nearby makeshift storage area where there was little to no security. She described seeing him retrieve a long weapon from a bag.
Those inside the ballroom described chaotic moments as several shots rang out. Guests scrambled for cover, with some hiding under tables for an extended period as uncertainty spread.
President Trump later commended the actions of law enforcement and the Secret Service, saying they responded quickly and courageously. He also confirmed the suspect is in custody and indicated that authorities plan to search the suspect’s residence in California.
Officials said the injured Secret Service agent is expected to recover. The annual dinner has been postponed and is expected to be rescheduled within the next month.
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