WASHINGTON: Authorities have identified the suspect arrested in the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner as Cole Tomas Allen, a California resident with an academic background in engineering and computer science.

Cole Tomas Allen, believed to be in his early 30s and from Torrance in the Los Angeles area, was taken into custody after gunfire erupted at the Washington Hilton, where the high-profile event was being held.

Law enforcement officials said the suspect, who was reportedly a guest at the venue, allegedly opened fire with a shotgun toward an agent of the United States Secret Service near the ballroom, triggering panic and an immediate evacuation.

Among those evacuated were Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, the First Lady and several senior officials. Security personnel quickly subdued and arrested the suspect at the scene.

Read More: Gunfire at White House Correspondents’ dinner sparks panic, Trump evacuated

Public records indicate Allen graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 with a degree in mechanical engineering. The institution confirmed that an individual by that name completed studies there.

He is also reported to hold a master’s degree in computer science earned in 2025 and has been described in online profiles as working part-time in education while pursuing independent game development.

Officials said the suspect’s background includes experience as a teaching assistant, mechanical engineering work and private tutoring roles.

Authorities have not yet determined a motive or confirmed whether Allen acted alone. Federal agencies are continuing to investigate his background and movements leading up to the incident.