President Donald Trump posted a photo on social media shortly after a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, showing a shirtless suspect lying face down as he was being apprehended by law enforcement. The image circulated as federal authorities continued securing the scene and investigating the incident.
The suspect has been identified as Cole Allen, a 31-year-old computer scientist from Torrance, California. Law enforcement officials said he was taken into custody at the scene moments after the attack, Fox News reported.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive. The investigation remains ongoing as federal agencies review evidence and the suspect’s background.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive
According to publicly available records, Allen had an academic and professional background in engineering and computer science. He enrolled at the California Institute of Technology in 2013 and graduated in 2017 with a degree in mechanical engineering.
The school confirmed that a student by that name graduated in 2017. During his time there, Allen also reported participating in research at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he said he contributed to astrophysics-related work.
Allen later pursued additional education and professional work in the technology field. Records indicate he enrolled at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where he completed a master’s degree in computer science in 2025.
Allen later pursued additional education and professional work in the technology field
His online profiles also describe work as an independent developer. He created multiple physics-based video games, including projects released on digital gaming platforms.
Employment records show he worked with a tutoring company in recent years. A social media post from late 2024 identified him as a “teacher of the month” at one of the company’s locations.
BREAKING: PRESIDENT TRUMP POSTS PHOTO OF SHOOTER pic.twitter.com/UKFb6Hfu3N
— Election Wizard (@ElectionWiz) April 26, 2026
Federal Election Commission records show that Allen made a small political donation during the 2024 election cycle. Officials have not indicated whether that activity is relevant to the investigation.
The shooting occurred during one of Washington’s most prominent annual events
Authorities said Allen was detained at the scene without further incident. Officials have not released details about any charges as of Thursday.
The shooting occurred during one of Washington’s most prominent annual events. The White House Correspondents’ Dinner typically draws journalists, political figures and public officials from across the country.
Emergency responders arrived quickly following reports of gunfire. Law enforcement agencies moved to secure the area and ensure the safety of those in attendance.
During a late Saturday news conference, authorities said Cole Allen rushed a U.S
Multiple federal agencies, including the FBI and Secret Service, are now involved in the investigation. Officials said they are reviewing Allen’s digital footprint, communications and personal history.
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.
President Donald Trump was whisked away from the venue by the U.S
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.
