Who is Cole Tomas Allen? Suspect behind shooting at Trump press gala

US Secret Service agents bundled Donald Trump from the stage as shots rang out Saturday evening at a media gala, in what the president later described as an attack by a "would-be assassin."

Armed guards opened fire at the gunman who charged through a security checkpoint just outside the ballroom of the hotel where Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, senior government officials and hundreds of other black-tie guests had gathered.

 People dived under tables in chaotic scenes as Secret Service teams swarmed into the glitzy White House Correspondents' Association dinner held annually at the Washington Hilton in the US capital.

Who is Cole Tomas Allen?

The shooter was identified by US law enforcement as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California.

His -unverified- LinkedIn profile describes him as a mechanical engineer, computer scientist, indie game developer, and part-time teacher based in the Los Angeles area.

Allen is also described as a self-employed indie game developer.

According to US media, Allen is registered to vote but with no party preference.

He graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Allen also has a master’s degree in computer science at Cal State Dominguez Hills in 2025, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.

He was named teacher of the month in December 2024 at C2 Education, which specializes in college test preparation.

In October 2024, Allen donated $25 to ActBlue, a political action committee that raises funds for Democrats and was for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, according to the Federal Election

Repeated security lapses

Trump said one officer was shot at close range but appeared to not be critically injured. He added that the venue was "not a particularly secure" facility as questions swirled about the president's safety.

Trump said at the hastily arranged news conference that he first thought the noise was a tray being dropped before he realized it was gunfire. He said he planned to re-schedule the media gala within a month despite the security scare.

City officials said the suspect, who will be arraigned in court on Monday on firearm and assault charges, appeared to have been a guest at the hotel. He was armed with a shotgun, handgun and knives.

"Law enforcement exchanged gunfire with the individual," Washington police chief Jeffery Carroll told reporters. "A US Secret Service uniformed division officer was struck in his vest. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He appears to be in good spirits."

As the incident erupted, tactical teams with guns drawn took position on the stage where Trump had been sitting during dinner before he was evacuated.

Police surrounded the hotel, and helicopters hovered overhead.

The security breach occurred after the welcoming speech and during dinner, before Trump was due to speak.

Cabinet members were evacuated first as confusion and concern spread through the partying guests.

One administration official, Mehmet Oz, told journalists "shots fired upstairs" as he was rushed out by security.

Glitzy annual gala

Trump was the target of an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in 2024. A gunman fired several shots, killing an audience member and lightly wounding the president in the ear.

A few months later, another man was arrested after a Secret Service agent saw the barrel of a rifle poking from the bushes on the perimeter of the West Palm Beach golf course where Trump was playing a round.

The Washington Hilton where Saturday's gala was taking place was the site where Republican President Ronald Reagan was shot by a would-be assassin in 1981.

Organizers at first told guests that Saturday's dinner would continue, before announcing it had been postponed.

The White House Correspondents' Association invited Trump this year despite his repeated attacks on the media.

Unlike all other presidents from the past 100 years, Trump had never attended while in office.

The "Nerd Prom" -- as attendees dub it -- brings together journalists and the who's who of Washington to raise funds for scholarships and awards.

The event often has a comedian joking about the president, who traditionally makes a few cracks of his own, though no comedian was booked this year.