American media outlets are reporting new details about the identity of the gunman outside the event attended by President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. According to the reports, which have not yet been confirmed by authorities, the shooter is Cole Allen, 31, from the city of Torrance in California, who worked as a teacher. Trump referred to him at a press conference as a "crazy lone wolf."
The incident occurred at around 8:30 p.m. Washington time at the Hilton hotel in the city, where the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner was being held. According to authorities, Allen stormed a Secret Service security checkpoint in the hotel lobby, armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives, and opened fire at the metal detector post outside the ballroom. Law enforcement officials said between four and eight shots were fired, but the suspect failed to get through the checkpoint and enter the hall where Trump, Vice President JD Vance and thousands of guests were seated. A Secret Service agent was hit by gunfire but was saved by his bulletproof vest and was in good condition.
The suspect was also wounded in the exchange of fire, taken to a hospital and placed under arrest. Washington Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll said preliminary information indicated that Allen himself had been staying at the hotel where the event was held, and that security forces had already raided the room where he had stayed. Helen Mabus, a volunteer who worked at the event, told the New York Post that she believed Allen assembled his long gun in a "makeshift" room near the entrance that was used to store bar carts and was not secured. She added that the weapon was "long" and "did not look like a regular handgun."
Trump said at a later press conference that law enforcement officials were expected to search the suspect's home in Torrance as well, and that investigators were "asking him a lot of questions."
According to a CBS report, Allen worked as a private tutor at a well-known learning network in Torrance that provides supplementary lessons for high school students and preparation for US college entrance exams, and was named the network's "teacher of the month" in December 2024. CBS also reported that Allen was a graduate of the California Institute of Technology, one of the most prestigious research and engineering institutions in the US, and completed his studies there in 2017. According to another CBS report, the shooting suspect admitted during initial questioning that he intended to harm senior government officials.
Alongside his work as a teacher, Allen also worked independently in video game development, according to Newsweek. The Los Angeles Times reported that one of its reporters went to the address where Allen allegedly lived, describing it as a two-story home with a fenced garden and a two-car driveway. A man at the house opened the door, said, "Not right now," and declined to answer the reporter's questions. According to the report, journalists and neighbors had already gathered at the scene, while a helicopter circled overhead.
A 39-year-old neighbor who identified himself only as Colin told the newspaper, "It's tragic. There's no need for violence in this day and age." Another neighbor, 50, who lives across the street, said of Allen's family, "We see them every day and just say hello, and they are very nice people. They are quiet people, they don't make noise, and when they see you they greet you." He added, "I don't know what happens inside." The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said it was monitoring developments in coordination with federal, local and state authorities, and that "there are currently no known credible threats to our community."
At the same time, claims began appearing on social media, not yet verified by any official source or by major media outlets, that Allen had donated to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris' campaign in October 2024. According to CNN, citing Federal Election Commission records, Allen donated $25 to Harris' presidential campaign in October 2024. At the same time, according to other unverified claims, California voter records listed Allen as having "no party preference."
