Shocking details are emerging from last night's chaotic scene at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner 🎤. A suspect arrested after a shooting incident at the Washington Hilton allegedly told law enforcement he was targeting former officials from the Trump administration, according to sources cited by CBS News.
The suspect has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California. Allen, who was a guest at the star-studded event, worked as a teacher at a tutoring service and also developed video games in his spare time. He had booked a room at the hotel where the dinner was held.
Public records paint a picture of a highly educated individual. Allen is an alumnus of the prestigious California Institute of Technology, where he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 2017. More recently, in 2025, he obtained a master's degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
In a notable political footnote, Federal Election Commission records show that Allen donated $25 to then-Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign back in October 2024. The alleged motive for the incident at the WHCA dinner, where current and former officials from both parties mingle with journalists and celebrities, remains under intense investigation.
This incident has sent shockwaves through political and media circles in Washington, D.C., raising serious questions about security at high-profile events. 🔒 The story is still developing as authorities piece together the full sequence of events.
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Suspect in WHCA dinner shooting said to target government officials
cgtn.com
