The suspect accused of opening fire during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner had written a manifesto outlining plans to target officials from President Donald Trump’s administration, adding a disturbing political dimension to the attack that forced the evacuation of one of Washington’s most high-profile gatherings. U.S. officials have identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California.
According to Reuters, Allen sent an anti-Christian manifesto to family members shortly before the shooting and described himself as a “friendly federal assassin,” while indicating that administration figures were his intended targets. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said preliminary findings suggest Trump himself may also have been a likely target.
The shooting took place at the Washington Hilton, where Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and senior cabinet officials were attending the annual dinner. Law enforcement said Allen, who had checked into the hotel as a guest, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and knives. He fired at a Secret Service agent, who was protected by a bullet-resistant vest, before being subdued and arrested.
In an interview after the incident, Trump described the attacker as a deeply troubled man whose relatives had already been alarmed by his behavior and views. Reuters reported that Trump said Allen had changed sharply over time and had become increasingly radicalized. Trump also said he did not feel fear during the evacuation and initially wanted to remain to see what was happening, although security agents moved him out immediately.
Trump reacted angrily when asked about parts of the manifesto that included severe accusations against him, rejecting them as false and offensive. The episode added another layer of tension to an attack that is already intensifying concerns about political violence and the security of public officials in the United States.
Allen is expected to face federal charges including assault on a federal officer, firearms offenses and attempted murder of a federal officer. Trump, who attended the correspondents’ dinner as president for the first time after years of boycotting it, has said the event should still be held within 30 days despite the attack.
