Suspected gunman at Washington press dinner identified as 31-year-old Californian
via The Namibian6 min read
Law enforcement officials have identified Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, as the man arrested after shots were fired inside the Washington Hilton hotel during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. According to sources, Allen told security agents he intended to shoot officials in the Trump administration. Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that preliminary findings suggest Allen was targeting administration officials, likely including President Donald Trump. Investigators are examining reports that the alleged gunman assembled the weapon in the hotel. Police reported that Allen, a guest at the hotel, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives. Interim police chief Jeffery Carroll described him as a "lone actor, a lone gunman." President Trump later posted a photo of a shirtless man, identified as the suspect, on the floor in handcuffs. US media, citing law enforcement sources, report a history of anti-Trump social media posts by Allen. A written document, described as a manifesto and reportedly sent to family members before the incident, indicated the gunman wanted to target Trump administration members "from highest-ranking to lowest." FBI agents and police have searched an address in California linked to Allen. Voter registration records show no party preference, and a Federal Election Commission record indicates a $25 donation to ActBlue for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in October 2024. Allen's LinkedIn profile
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