Identity of Trump Gala Shooting Suspect Revealed

Authorities have identified Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old teacher and video game developer from Southern California, as the suspect in the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

According to CNN, law enforcement sources said Allen was subdued near the Washington Hilton, where President Donald Trump and other senior officials were attending the event.

Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, worked part-time at C2 Education, a tutoring and test preparation company, where he was named “Teacher of the Month” in December 2024, according to public records.

His LinkedIn profile shows he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 and later obtained a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Allen had also been involved in video game development. He is believed to have published an independent game, *Bohrdom*, on the Steam platform and reportedly registered a trademark for the title in 2018. Records indicate he had been working on another project under the title *First Law*.

In 2017, he was featured in a local news report for developing a prototype emergency brake for wheelchairs while still a student.

Federal Election Commission records also show Allen made a $25 donation to Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in October 2024.

Authorities said the suspect was armed with multiple weapons and was apprehended after breaching a security checkpoint at the venue.

The incident triggered panic at the high-profile dinner and led to the evacuation of President Trump, the First Lady and other dignitaries. One Secret Service agent was struck by gunfire but survived after the bullet hit a protective vest.

Officials have not announced a motive, while investigations into the attack remain ongoing.