Trump Shooter Identified as California Teacher Cole Allen
Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, admitted after his arrest that his intent was to shoot “administration officials,” though he did not specifically name President Donald Trump as a target, sources said.
A suspect arrested after opening fire outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner told authorities he was targeting officials from the Trump administration, according to law enforcement sources.
Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, admitted after his arrest that his intent was to shoot “administration officials,” though he did not specifically name President Donald Trump as a target, sources said.
Allen has been identified as an educator who previously worked for C2 Education, a tutoring company in Torrance, where he was named “Teacher of the Month” in December 2024. It is unclear whether he was still employed there at the time of the incident. The California Institute of Technology confirmed that Allen graduated from the school in 2017.
Prosecutors said Allen is facing at least two charges: using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
US Attorney for Washington, DC, Jeanine Pirro said the suspect appeared intent on causing significant harm. She credited a security checkpoint outside the event venue with preventing casualties.
“It is clear… that this individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could,” Pirro said. “Thankfully… that checkpoint worked.”
No injuries were reported in the incident, which took place near the venue hosting the annual dinner attended by journalists, officials, and public figures.