The suspect who attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner armed with guns and knives crossed the country beforehand and targeted members of the Trump administration, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated Sunday.
Travel and Intent
Officials believe the suspect traveled by train from California to Chicago and then to Washington, D.C. He checked into the hotel hosting the high-profile event on Saturday night. Investigators examining his electronic devices and writings conclude he aimed to attack administration officials attending the dinner.
Two law enforcement officials identified the 31-year-old suspect from Torrance, California, as Cole Tomas Allen.
The Attack Unfolds
Allen charged toward the ballroom at the Washington Hilton but was tackled amid chaos. Shots rang out, President Donald Trump was rushed offstage, and guests sought cover under tables.
“It does appear that he did in fact set out to target folks who work in the administration, likely including the president,” Blanche said on Meet the Press.
Video footage posted by Trump captures the suspect rushing past security barricades as Secret Service agents pursued him. One officer sustained a gunshot wound to a bullet-resistant vest and is recovering. The suspect was taken into custody unharmed but underwent hospital evaluation.
“He failed,” Blanche declared on Face the Nation. “Law enforcement did their jobs.”
Suspect Profile and Charges
The suspect acquired his firearms in the past two years. He remains uncooperative and faces multiple charges on Monday.
Social media profiles linked to Allen portray him as an educated tutor and amateur video game developer. A May 2025 LinkedIn photo, showing him in cap and gown after earning a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills, matches images of the suspect in custody.
Allen holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology, earned in 2017. He participated in a Christian student fellowship and a campus Nerf gun group.
Event Aftermath
The incident erupted minutes after the dinner began. Secret Service and authorities secured the venue as hundreds of guests ducked for cover. Shouts of “Out of the way!” and calls to duck filled the air, followed by a “God Bless America” chant as Trump exited the stage.
National Guard members and law enforcement swarmed outside amid circling helicopters. Organizers canceled the event after a brief resumption attempt and plan to reschedule it.
