Cole Allen Identified as Suspect in White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting

A White House Correspondents’ Dinner volunteer said the suspected gunman was able to assemble a “long weapon” inside an unsecured, lightly monitored area near a terrace-level entrance before the attack unfolded near the ballroom. The witness, Helen Mabus, a volunteer working the event described a “makeshift room” near the entrance where bar carts were being stored and where “there was no security” at the time.

“He was in that room […] he grabbed it out of a bag or something,” Mabus said, adding that the weapon “was long” and “didn’t look like a typical gun,” as quoted by the New York Post. Mabus said the suspect was partially out of view of security as he handled the weapon inside the room before moving toward the main event space. “He put it together and […] ran towards the stairs to go down to the ballroom,” she said. The gunman then began firing in multiple directions as guests and staff tried to escape. “It just seem like he was shooting all over the place,” Mabus said, estimating she heard “at least 10 shots.” She said the gunfire caused immediate panic, with people “screaming and running” as armed personnel responded. Mabus said she fled in the opposite direction and did not see the suspect apprehended.

The gunman, identified as Cole Allen of Torrance, California, was arrested after allegedly entering the Washington Hilton hotel and moving toward the ballroom where President Trump and about 2,500 guests were gathered. Trump described him as a likely “lone wolf whack job” who “looked pretty evil.” The shooting began just after 8.30 pm near the indoor security screening area, as guests were being served salad. The Secret Service evacuated Trump from the room, while members of his cabinet took cover under tables before being moved out. A law enforcement officer was shot, with the bullet striking his bulletproof vest.

“He was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives as he ran into that checkpoint,” DC police chief Jeffrey Carroll said. “At this point it does appear he is a lone actor, a lone gunman,” Carroll said. “There does not appear to be any sort of danger to the public.” Allen was charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and with assault of a federal officer, US attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said Saturday. Dramatic video posted on social media by Trump shows Allen opening fire and rushing toward the ballroom. A LinkedIn profile matching his name and photo described him as a teacher at C2 Education, a tutoring and test prep company. The company awarded him “teacher of the month” in December 2024, according to social media posts.