Who is the suspected gunman in White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting?

LocalPolitics
27 Apr 2026 • 12:25 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Who is the suspected gunman in White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting?

  • A shooting occurred at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C., where 31-year-old California man Cole Tomas Allen was identified as the suspect.
  • Allen graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 and earned a master's degree in computer science from California State University at Dominguez Hills in 2025.
  • His LinkedIn profile described him as a “mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, teacher by birth.’
  • Neighbors described Allen as "very nice" and "peaceful," though one neighbor suggested he was "on the spectrum."
  • He faces charges including use of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer, which could result in up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

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