What We Know So Far About Cole Allen and the Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting

One may think that the suspect’s profile in the White House (WH) Correspondents' Dinner shooting will fit that of a radicalized extremist. But a closer look at Cole Allen’s LinkedIn profile suggests he may be a game developer, engineer, scientist, (and) teacher”.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, a resident of Torrance, California, is suspected to be the alleged shooter in the incident that took place during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday evening, according to the Associated Press. The police arrested him after Allen allegedly stormed the lobby outside the ballroom at Washington Hilton where the dinner was taking place.

The profile photo of Allen’s LinkedIn profile appears to match with the photo of the suspect released by President Trump Saturday night on Truth Social. Allen dons a cap and a gown, the kind you wear on your graduation, in the profile photo. He has a master’s degree in computer science from California State University-Dominguez Hills.

Allen’s experience says he has been a part-time teacher for the last six years at C2 Education— a firm that deals with admissions counseling and test preparation services to aspiring college students. The profile also states that he has been working as an independent game developer since 2018.

Another key detail to note is that Allen donated $25 to a political action committee in support of Kamala Harris for president in 2024, as per the AP. The investigating agencies are yet to shed light on details surrounding Allen’s motive.

The White House Correspondents' Association Dinner is an annual tradition in Washington, D.C., that dates back to 1921 to celebrate the First Amendment. The dinner usually sees dignitaries such as the president, journalists, and celebrities in attendance.

It was no different this year. Several members of President Trump’s cabinet including Vice President JD Vance were present at the gala. Trump attended the dinner alongside First Lady Melania Trump.

Trump said that the law enforcement agencies did “a fantastic job” in a statement released after the shooting. “They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we “LET THE SHOW GO ON” but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement.” Trump added that he had spoken to all the representatives in charge of the event, and assured that the dinner will be rescheduled “within 30 days”.

This is not the first time that Trump has been the target of an assassination. The gravest provocation took place in July 2024 at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a gunman reached a rooftop overlooking the stage where the then-candidate was speaking at a rally. The attempt led to the death of a spectator while Trump was wounded in the ear. The attacker, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks was shot dead by the Secret Service agents. Another incident took place in September when an armed man snuck into Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, intending to kill him. An agent spotted him before he could shoot, and he was arrested and convicted in 2025 of attempting to kill the president and received a life sentence.