One person was taken into custody after the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association. Diner was identified Saturday by law enforcement sources as Cole Thomas Allen, 31, of Torrance.
Allen was first identified by the Associated Press, citing unnamed law enforcement sources. Another official authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation told The Times that Allen was a suspect and that authorities were in the process of obtaining warrants to search addresses linked to him in Torrance.
The scene at the annual event in Washington turned chaotic when a man walked towards a dining area and was sprayed with bullets. A security guard at the hotel said he saw a man with a gun. President Donald Trump was escorted off the stage. An officer wearing a bulletproof vest was shot, but his condition was immediately apparent.
US Atty. Jeanine Pirro for the District of Columbia says the suspect is being charged with two counts of assault with a firearm and one count of assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. Authorities said he had a shotgun, a handgun and several knives.
“This individual was intent on causing as much damage as possible,” Pirro said.
Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive.
Allen, who is registered to vote with no party preference, graduated from Caltech in 2017 with a degree in mechanical engineering, according to the university. He was featured in a Caltech graduation announcement posted by the university on Facebook in 2017, which included a photo of him as an adult wearing a cardigan and red tie and a photo of him as a smiling young child holding a stuffed rabbit.
He was named Teacher of the Month in December 2024 at C2 Education, which specializes in college test preparation, tutoring, and academic advising.
According to an initial schedule, Allen also pursues a master’s degree in computer science at Cal State Dominguez Hills in 2025.
According to the Federal Election Commission, in October 2024, Allen donated $25 to ActBlue, a political action committee that raises money for Democrats. This money was earmarked for Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.
It was drizzling Saturday evening in Torrance outside the multi-gabled home with high fences where Allen is believed to have lived. Torrance police arrived, cleared the road and placed police tape over a portion of the road. FBI officials were also present at the scene.
A man who answered the knock at the front door said, “Not right now,” and declined to comment further.
A group of journalists and neighbors were walking around the property and filming with a helicopter hovering above.
Colin, a 39-year-old neighbor who declined to give his last name citing privacy concerns, said the home’s current residents moved in just six months ago.
“It’s sad,” he said. “There is no need for violence in today’s era.”
Another man in his 50s, who lives across the street and declined to give his name to a reporter, said the family was friendly.
“We see them every day and just say hello and they’re very nice,” he said. “They are peaceful people, they don’t make any noise and say hello when they see you.”
