Topline: A 31-year-old Torrance man identified as Cole Tomas Allen is accused of traveling cross-country and opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner before authorities subdued him.
Published: April 28, 2026 1:30 pm ET
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A photo of Cole Tomas Allen shared by President Donald Trump via Truth Social.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gunfire erupted Saturday at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner when investigators say a man later identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, rushed toward the dining area and fired two shots before authorities took him down.
One officer wearing a bulletproof vest was shot and taken to a hospital, while President Donald Trump was rushed offstage during the chaos. Trump later said the officer was “doing great.” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Allen revealed he was targeting members of the Trump administration and that he had traveled from California to Chicago and then to Washington by train. Blanche said Allen “barely got past the perimeter” before he was subdued.
According to a Los Angeles Times report, FBI agents searched Allen’s home in Torrance and a 10th-floor room he had rented at the Hilton in Washington while examining his electronics and writings and interviewing relatives and friends to determine a motive.
Law enforcement sources told the newspaper that the shotgun and handgun used in the attack were legally purchased in California within the last couple of years. Blanche said Allen was taken to a hospital after the shooting but was not shot, and added that he did not appear to be cooperating with investigators. His condition was not publicly detailed.
Allen is a 2017 Caltech graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering and later earned a master’s degree in computer science from Cal State Dominguez Hills in 2025, according to the report. His LinkedIn profile described him as a game developer, engineer, scientist and teacher. The profile also said he worked part time at C2 Education and was self-employed as an indie game developer.
The Times reported that Allen donated $25 to ActBlue in October 2024 for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and is registered to vote with no party preference. His LinkedIn profile said he belonged to Caltech’s Christian fellowship and nerf club while in school.
Allen was also named teacher of the month in December 2024 at C2 Education. Dylan Wakayama, president of the Torrance-based Asian American Civic Trust, said Allen had tutored several high school students in the organization and was seen as intelligent, quiet and proficient in science and math.
The report said Allen registered a trademark in 2019 for “Bohrdom,” an atomic fighting game he released on Steam. After his arrest, federal and local law enforcement converged on the Torrance neighborhood where he apparently lived with family members, setting up police tape as neighbors described the family as friendly and peaceful.
Torrance Mayor George K. Chen condemned the violence in Washington and said the incident should not define the city.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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‘Barely Got Past the Perimeter’: Gunman Nearly Reaches Dining Area Before Opening Fire at White House Event
A 31-year-old Torrance man identified as Cole Tomas Allen is accused of traveling cross-country and opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner before authorities subdued him.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: April 28, 2026 1:30 pm ET
A photo of Cole Tomas Allen shared by President Donald Trump via Truth Social.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gunfire erupted Saturday at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner when investigators say a man later identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, rushed toward the dining area and fired two shots before authorities took him down.
One officer wearing a bulletproof vest was shot and taken to a hospital, while President Donald Trump was rushed offstage during the chaos. Trump later said the officer was “doing great.” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Allen revealed he was targeting members of the Trump administration and that he had traveled from California to Chicago and then to Washington by train. Blanche said Allen “barely got past the perimeter” before he was subdued.
According to a Los Angeles Times report, FBI agents searched Allen’s home in Torrance and a 10th-floor room he had rented at the Hilton in Washington while examining his electronics and writings and interviewing relatives and friends to determine a motive.
Law enforcement sources told the newspaper that the shotgun and handgun used in the attack were legally purchased in California within the last couple of years. Blanche said Allen was taken to a hospital after the shooting but was not shot, and added that he did not appear to be cooperating with investigators. His condition was not publicly detailed.
Allen is a 2017 Caltech graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering and later earned a master’s degree in computer science from Cal State Dominguez Hills in 2025, according to the report. His LinkedIn profile described him as a game developer, engineer, scientist and teacher. The profile also said he worked part time at C2 Education and was self-employed as an indie game developer.
The Times reported that Allen donated $25 to ActBlue in October 2024 for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and is registered to vote with no party preference. His LinkedIn profile said he belonged to Caltech’s Christian fellowship and nerf club while in school.
Allen was also named teacher of the month in December 2024 at C2 Education. Dylan Wakayama, president of the Torrance-based Asian American Civic Trust, said Allen had tutored several high school students in the organization and was seen as intelligent, quiet and proficient in science and math.
The report said Allen registered a trademark in 2019 for “Bohrdom,” an atomic fighting game he released on Steam. After his arrest, federal and local law enforcement converged on the Torrance neighborhood where he apparently lived with family members, setting up police tape as neighbors described the family as friendly and peaceful.
Torrance Mayor George K. Chen condemned the violence in Washington and said the incident should not define the city.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Latest Articles
‘Barely Got Past the Perimeter’: Gunman Nearly Reaches Dining Area Before Opening Fire at White House Event
A 31-year-old Torrance man identified as Cole Tomas Allen is accused of traveling cross-country and opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner before authorities subdued him.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: April 28, 2026 1:30 pm ET
A photo of Cole Tomas Allen shared by President Donald Trump via Truth Social.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gunfire erupted Saturday at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner when investigators say a man later identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, rushed toward the dining area and fired two shots before authorities took him down.
One officer wearing a bulletproof vest was shot and taken to a hospital, while President Donald Trump was rushed offstage during the chaos. Trump later said the officer was “doing great.” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Allen revealed he was targeting members of the Trump administration and that he had traveled from California to Chicago and then to Washington by train. Blanche said Allen “barely got past the perimeter” before he was subdued.
According to a Los Angeles Times report, FBI agents searched Allen’s home in Torrance and a 10th-floor room he had rented at the Hilton in Washington while examining his electronics and writings and interviewing relatives and friends to determine a motive.
Law enforcement sources told the newspaper that the shotgun and handgun used in the attack were legally purchased in California within the last couple of years. Blanche said Allen was taken to a hospital after the shooting but was not shot, and added that he did not appear to be cooperating with investigators. His condition was not publicly detailed.
Allen is a 2017 Caltech graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering and later earned a master’s degree in computer science from Cal State Dominguez Hills in 2025, according to the report. His LinkedIn profile described him as a game developer, engineer, scientist and teacher. The profile also said he worked part time at C2 Education and was self-employed as an indie game developer.
The Times reported that Allen donated $25 to ActBlue in October 2024 for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and is registered to vote with no party preference. His LinkedIn profile said he belonged to Caltech’s Christian fellowship and nerf club while in school.
Allen was also named teacher of the month in December 2024 at C2 Education. Dylan Wakayama, president of the Torrance-based Asian American Civic Trust, said Allen had tutored several high school students in the organization and was seen as intelligent, quiet and proficient in science and math.
The report said Allen registered a trademark in 2019 for “Bohrdom,” an atomic fighting game he released on Steam. After his arrest, federal and local law enforcement converged on the Torrance neighborhood where he apparently lived with family members, setting up police tape as neighbors described the family as friendly and peaceful.
Torrance Mayor George K. Chen condemned the violence in Washington and said the incident should not define the city.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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