U.S. officials are investigating the facts surrounding a gunman who opened fire at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner last Saturday. Initial findings indicate a possible motive, and the suspect is expected to face multiple charges.
A senior U.S. official told CBS News that the suspect, Cole Thomas Allen, who allegedly attempted the attack at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on the evening of Saturday, 25 Apr 2026 GMT+7, left what authorities are calling a "manifesto" clearly stating his intent to target members of the Trump administration.
Authorities reported that during the incident, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were safely evacuated, and no attendees were seriously injured. However, at least one Secret Service agent was shot but suffered only minor injuries due to wearing body armor.
Allen, 31, was arrested at the scene. Preliminary investigations revealed he is an educator from Torrance, California, with a degree in engineering from a leading university. Officials found anti-Trump and anti-Christian content on his social media accounts.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said on the "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" program Sunday morning that investigators believe Allen specifically targeted members of the Trump administration.
Currently, the FBI is investigating the case while the Secret Service is conducting a thorough background check on the suspect to determine what prompted the attack.
Sources from two law enforcement agencies told CBS News that at least five to eight gunshots were fired during the incident.
Jeff Carroll, acting Chief of the Washington D.C. Police, stated late at night that the suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives while attempting to breach the security checkpoint outside the dinner venue at the Washington Hilton hotel. A shooting occurred before the suspect was apprehended without being shot. He was taken to a hospital for physical and mental evaluation.
Allen posed as a hotel guest, traveling by train from Los Angeles, transferring in Chicago, then heading to Washington, D.C. He checked into the hotel on Friday, one day before the incident.
After the situation was under control, officials seized the suspect's mobile phone and other electronic devices and are seeking search warrants to examine their contents. Although the suspect did not cooperate, acquaintances have provided valuable information to investigators.
Three federal officials stated they are reviewing writings by the suspect found on paper at the hotel to identify his motive for the attack.
Sources further revealed that Allen sent some of his writings to family members before the attack, prompting one relative to immediately alert the police. However, the writings sent to family did not specifically mention the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.
"At this time, it appears he acted alone," Carroll said Saturday night, adding the investigation is ongoing. This aligns with President Trump's statement to reporters, describing the suspect as a "lone wolf" acting without any mastermind.
Sources indicated that Allen has a history of firearm ownership, purchasing the shotgun used in the attack in August 2025 and a semi-automatic handgun in 2023.
The suspect lived in various areas of Los Angeles from November 2010 to March 2026, mostly in Torrance, and resided in San Gabriel from early 2018 to late 2019.
Allen earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 2017 and a master's degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in 2025. Caltech confirmed his graduation to CBS News via email.
His LinkedIn profile lists him as an independent video game developer and part-time teacher. He also worked for the tutoring company C2 Education in Torrance and was named "Teacher of the Month" in December 2024. However, it is unclear if he still works there, while the Torrance school district confirmed he was never employed by them.
Another family member told investigators that Allen often made violent statements and mentioned plans to do "something" to fix current world problems. The family also said he regularly practiced at a shooting range.
He was a member of a group called "The Wide Awakes" and participated in anti-Trump protests under the slogan "No Kings" in California. Federal campaign finance records show Allen donated $25 to ActBlue, the Democratic Party's political action committee, supporting Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign.
Janine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., announced Saturday night that Allen will face initial charges of one count each for using a firearm during a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. She expects additional charges as the investigation progresses.
"Based on what we know so far, it is clear this individual intended to cause as much harm and damage as possible," Pirro said.
Blanche noted that whether additional charges are filed depends on evidence uncovered during the investigation, especially regarding possible motives.
"There are several other federal charges that could be applied beyond these two, but it depends on understanding his motive, intent, and premeditation that led to this attack," Blanche said on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."
Pirro stated Allen will be brought before a federal court on Monday to be formally charged, and Blanche expects the formal indictment process to follow.
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Source:cbsnews