- Usman Khan Web Desk
- 1 Hour ago
Cole Tomas Allen profiled: Caltech graduate turned White House shooter
Authorities have identified the suspect arrested in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting as Cole Tomas Allen, a California resident with an academic background in engineering and computer science, according to law enforcement officials.
Allen, believed to be in his early 30s and from Torrance in the Los Angeles area, was taken into custody after gunfire erupted at the Washington Hilton, where the annual dinner was being held. Officials said he was a guest at the venue, though investigators have not yet determined a motive.
Law enforcement sources said Allen allegedly opened fire with a shotgun toward a Secret Service agent near the ballroom area, triggering an immediate evacuation of attendees, including US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, the First Lady, and several senior officials. Security personnel quickly subdued and arrested the suspect at the scene.
Public records and professional profiles linked to Allen indicate he graduated from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 2017 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Caltech confirmed that an individual of that name completed studies there that year.
He is also reported to hold a master’s degree in computer science earned in 2025, and has been described in online profiles as working part-time in education while also pursuing independent game development. His background reportedly includes experience as a teaching assistant, mechanical engineering work, and tutoring roles with a private education provider.
Officials say Allen was armed with a shotgun during the incident. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not confirmed a motive or whether he acted alone. Federal agencies are continuing to examine his movements and background in the lead-up to the attack.
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