A man suspected of firing shots near a high-profile media event attended by former US President Donald Trump has been identified by authorities as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old educator and indie game developer from Southern California.
According to CNN, law enforcement sources confirmed Allen as the armed individual who was subdued close to the venue of the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, where senior officials and media figures had gathered.
Investigators said the incident occurred at the Washington Hilton, triggering panic and a swift evacuation of guests, including Trump and other dignitaries. A member of the United States Secret Service was reportedly struck by a bullet, which was stopped by protective gear.
Public records reviewed by reporters show Allen lives in Torrance, California, and worked part-time as a tutor at C2 Education, where he received internal recognition in late 2024.
His academic background includes a mechanical engineering degree from California Institute of Technology in 2017 and a master’s qualification in computer science from California State University Dominguez Hills. During his student years, he appeared in a local news feature for creating a prototype safety brake system for wheelchairs.
Allen also maintained an online presence as a video game developer and is believed to have released an independent title on Steam. Records indicate he filed a trademark for the project in 2018 and had been working on a follow-up game under a provisional name.
Campaign finance data further show that Allen made a small political donation in 2024 to the presidential campaign of Kamala Harris.
Authorities disclosed that the suspect was carrying multiple weapons and had breached a security checkpoint before being overpowered. Officials have not announced a motive, and federal investigations are continuing.
The shooting scare revived memories of past security threats linked to the same venue and prompted renewed discussions about protective measures at major political and media gatherings.
