A 31-year-old California teacher disrupted the most high-profile press event of the year — then left a chilling paper trail explaining why. Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California, is accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The shooting erupted at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., where President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other top officials were in attendance.
Allen forced the evacuation of Trump and the night’s senior attendees. One Secret Service officer was struck but saved by a bulletproof vest and was later discharged from a nearby hospital. Allen was tackled, taken into custody, and was not shot.
Why This Matters
This was the first WHCA dinner attended by President Trump during his second term — one of Washington’s highest-security annual events. The breach raises urgent questions about hotel-based event security, guest vetting, and threat assessment protocols at venues hosting the president. A U.S. official told Reuters that Trump was the likely intended target.
The Manifesto
Approximately 10 minutes before the shooting, Allen sent a written manifesto to family members in which he called himself a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and identified Trump administration officials as his primary targets, ranked from highest to lowest. The document was reviewed by NBC News, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post. Allen notably excluded FBI Director Kash Patel from his target list and specified that Secret Service agents should only be incapacitated non-lethally “if necessary.”
In the manifesto, Allen wrote: “What my representatives do reflects on me. And I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.” He described his plot as a defense of the rule of law and framed himself as a reluctant but principled actor, writing: “I feel nauseous. I don’t expect forgiveness.” He expressed regret to his parents, coworkers, students, bystanders, and church acquaintances.
Allen stated he chose buckshot over slugs specifically “to minimize casualties” due to less wall penetration — evidence he cited of his self-described “humane” approach. He also criticized security gaps at the venue, calling them “insane” incompetence. Allen is reportedly not cooperating with investigators.
Family Contacts Law Enforcement
Allen’s brother received the manifesto and alerted the New London Police Department in Connecticut around 10:49 p.m. Saturday — shortly after the shooting. Police confirmed they were contacted by someone expressing concern, and the caller was subsequently interviewed by federal authorities.
Allen’s sister, Avriana Allen, was interviewed by the U.S. Secret Service and Montgomery County Police at a residence in Rockville, Maryland. She confirmed Allen had purchased two handguns and a shotgun from a firearms retailer, storing them at the family home in Torrance without his parents’ knowledge. She also described a pattern of increasingly radical statements from her brother and said he regularly visited shooting ranges to practice.
Who Is Cole Tomas Allen?
Allen grew up in Torrance, a coastal city in Los Angeles County’s South Bay region. Neighbors described his family as friendly, peaceful, and quiet. He graduated from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. While at Caltech, he served as a teaching assistant and participated in robotics competitions. Caltech confirmed his graduation but provided no further details.
In 2025, Allen earned a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills. His LinkedIn profile described him as a “mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, teacher by birth.” Allen also had an active BlueSky social media presence posting anti-Trump content, according to the New York Post.
Career: Engineering, Gaming, and Teaching
Allen worked briefly as a mechanical engineer at IJK Controls in South Pasadena from 2017 to 2018. He then became self-employed as an indie game developer, releasing Bohrdom on Steam — a non-violent, physics-based asymmetrical fighting game inspired by atomic chemistry models, featuring over 750 original graphics and custom music.
For several years, Allen worked part-time at C2 Education in Torrance, a private tutoring and test-preparation company. He was named “Teacher of the Month” at the Torrance branch in December 2024. He also tutored high school students through the Asian American Civic Trust, where colleagues described him as “very intelligent” and “on the nicer, quiet side.”
Political Background
Public records show Allen is registered to vote with no party preference. He made a single $25 donation in October 2024 to ActBlue, earmarked for the Harris for President campaign — the only political contribution listed for him in the past decade on Federal Election Commission records. Trump said Sunday he believes Allen was motivated by anti-Christian animus, though no official motive has been confirmed.
What Happened Saturday Night
Allen — believed to be a registered guest at the Washington Hilton — armed himself with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives before rushing a Secret Service security checkpoint near the ballroom. Between five and eight shots were fired during the incident, according to two law enforcement sources. One officer was struck in the vest and later recovered. Law enforcement returned fire and tackled Allen. He was taken into custody and was not injured.
Speaking at a White House press conference following the shooting, President Trump called Allen a “lone wolf whack job”. Authorities stated Allen acted alone, with no evidence of accomplices at this time.
Federal Charges & Arraignment
U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro announced Allen faces one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. Additional charges — including a possible attempted assassination charge — are anticipated. Pirro stated: “It is clear that this individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could.” The FBI executed search warrants at addresses linked to Allen in Torrance overnight. Allen is set to be arraigned in federal court Monday.
Community Reaction
Neighbors and colleagues in Torrance expressed shock. Dylan Wakayama, president of the Asian American Civic Trust, said the community would be “shocked” if Allen was responsible. Torrance Mayor George K. Chen condemned political violence, stating that “one individual’s alleged actions do not define our city.”
What’s Next
Allen is scheduled for arraignment in federal court Monday. He is reportedly not cooperating with investigators. The FBI continues to review hotel surveillance footage and Allen’s digital footprint. Further charges are expected as the case develops.
