Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old man from Torrance, California, appeared in court on Monday to face federal charges of attempted assassination of President Donald Trump. The charges stem from an incident on Saturday at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, where shots were fired, Trump was safely removed from the stage, and guests had to take cover under their tables. Allen, armed with a shotgun and pistol, allegedly tried to breach a security barricade near the ballroom where the event was taking place.
According to an FBI affidavit, Allen had reserved a room at the Washington hotel weeks before the event, indicating premeditation. He traveled from California to Washington the week of the dinner and checked into the hotel a day before the event. Although Allen was injured during the altercation, he was not shot. A Secret Service officer was shot but survived due to wearing a bullet-resistant vest.
In an email sent to family members and a former employer, Allen referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and mentioned grievances against the Trump administration. The rambling email touched on various topics, including apologizing to loved ones and explaining his motives for the attack. The shooting led to the cancellation of the dinner, which was Trump’s first attendance as president.
Records show that Allen is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer with a background in mechanical engineering. He graduated from prestigious universities and had been working part-time at a company offering counseling services to college students. Allen’s family home in Torrance showed signs of law enforcement presence, but no one answered the door when approached by reporters.
Allen’s social media profiles and voter registration records shed light on his political affiliations with the Democratic Party. He made contributions to Democratic Party political action committees and endorsed candidates endorsed by the party. Authorities have vowed to seek accountability for the attempted assassination, as Allen faces up to life in prison if convicted.
