The man accused of opening fire at the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has been identified as Cole Allen, a 31-year-old computer scientist from Torrance, California.
According to online profiles and records, Allen had a background in engineering and game development, including building a shooter role-playing game titled “First Law.”
Records indicate he attended the California Institute of Technology, where he studied mechanical engineering and graduated in 2017. The institution confirmed that an individual with that name completed a degree that year, Fox News reported.
In the summer of 2014, Cole Allen said he was selected as a summer undergraduate research fellow at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he worked on astrophysics-related research.
During that period, he also developed a physics based role playing shooter game called “First Law,” centered on two dimensional space combat
During that period, he also developed a physics-based role-playing shooter game called “First Law,” centered on two-dimensional space combat. While studying at the California Institute of Technology, he listed projects that included building offensive and defensive robotic systems, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He later developed another physics-based video game titled “Bohrdom,” described as a complex two-dimensional project. He described it as a “combination of a racing game with a bullet hell as experienced by self-propelled pinballs,” released on the popular Steam gaming platform, according to his profile.
Beginning in March 2020, Cole Allen worked for C2 Education, according to his LinkedIn profile. He later enrolled at California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2022 to pursue a master’s degree in computer science, graduating in May 2025. The university confirmed that an individual with that name completed the program that year.
A December 30, 2024 Facebook post from C2 Education recognized “Cole Allen of C2 Education Torrance” as Teacher of the Month, accompanied by a photo consistent with his profile
A December 30, 2024 Facebook post from C2 Education recognized “Cole Allen of C2 Education Torrance” as Teacher of the Month, accompanied by a photo consistent with his profile. Federal Election Commission records also show that Allen made a $25 contribution to then-Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle.
During a late Saturday news conference, authorities said Cole Allen rushed a U.S. Secret Service checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner while armed with multiple weapons.
Officials said Allen opened fire on a Secret Service officer, who was struck in his ballistic vest and transported to a hospital. Agents returned fire, and Allen was not hit but was also taken to a hospital, authorities said, Fox News reported.
United States Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said at a press conference that Allen has been charged with two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, adding that additional charges are expected
United States Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said at a press conference that Allen has been charged with two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, adding that additional charges are expected.
President Donald Trump was whisked away from the venue by the U.S. Secret Service along with First Lady Melania Trump and other senior officials. Vice President JD Vance and members of Trump’s Cabinet, who were also in attendance, were also rushed out. Also among the officials in the room for the dinner was the acting attorney general, Todd Blanche.
The White House press pool, the group of reporters that travels with the president, reported early on that the president was still at the Washington hotel that serves as the setting for the correspondent’s dinner. “The pool is still at the Hilton as of 8:56, which means POTUS hadn’t departed yet,” according to the Saturday evening pool report.
In addition to the president, First Lady and Vice President, many members of the president’s cabinet and senior staff were in attendance at the dinner
“In addition to the president, First Lady and Vice President, many members of the president’s cabinet and senior staff were in attendance at the dinner. Among the attendees: Scott Bessent, the Treasury secretary; Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence; Sean Duffy, the transportation secretary; Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary; Steven Cheung, the White House communications director; and Kash Patel, the director of the F.B.I.,” the New York Times reported.
“Right now, we are praying for the safety of President Trump and the members of the administration attending the White House Correspondents Association Dinner after gunshots were fired. We are hearing reports the shooter is detained and President Trump will be returning to dinner. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available,” Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina said.
