Full Breakdown
White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting
4/27/2026, 10:13:01 PM
Shooting at the Dinner
On Saturday night, Cole Tomas Allen was arrested after trying to bypass a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, an event attended by President Trump and officials. He carried a .38-caliber pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun. He faces charges of using a firearm during a violent crime and assault on a federal officer. No injuries reported.
Suspect Background
Allen, a Torrance native, earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Caltech (2017) and an M.S. in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills (2025). He worked six years part-time at C2 Education, a test-preparation firm. He donated $25 to a Democratic PAC. He posted criticism of President Trump and signed his pre-attack note as a “Friendly Federal Assassin.” He claimed to have developed a video game. His father, Thomas Allen, is an elder at Grace United Reformed Church, a “Bible-believing church.”
Weapons
Law-enforcement recovered a .38-caliber semiautomatic pistol purchased in October 2023 and a 12-gauge shotgun bought the year before. Allen faces charges of using a firearm during a violent crime and assault on a federal officer.
Official Response
Federal authorities confirmed the arrest and detailed the charges. Secret Service and FBI said Allen attempted to bypass a checkpoint with two firearms and knives, prompting a lockdown of the dinner venue. The White House has not issued a comment.
Opposition
Allen’s pre-attack note, addressed to family, used a self-applied moniker and expressed anger toward recent actions under the Trump administration, blending political grievances with justifications and apologies to acquaintances.
Local Reports
Neighbors in Torrance reported Allen’s home as an older house with a scooter on the lawn, two parked cars, and a yard sign supporting a judicial candidate. Law-enforcement agents, including one in an FBI sweatshirt, canvassed the area Sunday.
Conflicts
The 1,000-word note has not been released, limiting insight into Allen’s motives. Authorities have not disclosed whether accomplices were involved.
Quotes
- “Friendly Federal Assassin.” — Cole Tomas Allen, note to family
- “hello everybody!” — Cole Tomas Allen, opening of his note
- “He was a very good student indeed, always sitting in the first row of my class, paying attention, and frequently emailing me with coursework questions. Soft-spoken, very polite, a good fellow. I am very shocked to see the news.” — Bin Tang, computer-science professor, CSUDH
- “Bible-believing church” — Grace United Reformed Church website description
Future
Federal investigators will review security protocols for high-profile events and assess whether Allen’s online activity signals a broader threat. The Correspondents' Association is expected to issue a statement on dinner security.
