Engineer, professor and video game developer, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was arrested after opening fire at an event attended by President Donald Trump. A manifesto, background and his surroundings reveal signs of radicalization and pre-planning that were thwarted by the Secret Service.

First modification: 04/27/2026 - 00:38Last modification: 04/27/2026 - 03:23

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Cole Tomas Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, was identified as the main suspect in the shooting that occurred during the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington on Saturday, April 25, at which, for the first time since his second term, President Donald Trump was present.

His profile, reconstructed from official sources and public records, shows the career of a professional with advanced technical training, teaching activity and recent signs of radicalization against a specific sector.

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A technical and creative profile

Allen describes himself in his professional profile as a mechanical and computer engineer, as well as an independent video game developer. He studied at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 2017, and subsequently earned a master's degree in computer science in 2025 at California State University.

In the workplace, he worked as a part-time teacher at the tutoring company C2 Education since 2020. There he taught academic preparation classes to high school students and was recognized as “teacher of the month” in December 2024.

Testimonials from students published by different educational institutions describe him as an intelligent person, with extensive knowledge of scientific subjects, and with a generally calm demeanor, in which he based his conversations on studies, research and the scientific method.

In addition to his teaching work, Allen developed projects in the field of video games and technological programming. Among them is an online game published in 2018 on the Steam platform, which reinforces its technical and creative profile within the digital sector.

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"Fix the world's problems"

According to interviews with family members, the suspect had a tendency to make increasingly extreme statements and express ideas about the need to intervene to “fix the world's problems.”

His close environment also indicated that he had participated in political protests, including demonstrations against President Trump, and that he maintained links with social activism circles against American Republican politics.

In parallel, official records show that in 2024 he made a donation of $25 to a political campaign through the ActBlue platform, the renowned digital platform that mainly finances candidates and causes of the Democratic Party and progressive organizations.

Another key element in his profile is access to weapons. According to the investigation, Allen acquired two pistols and a shotgun, which he stored in his parents' home without their knowledge of the matter. On the day of the event in question, the night of April 25, he was carrying that arsenal along with several knives, according to the Police.

Allen's Manifesto

One of the most relevant aspects of the case is the manifesto that the suspect sent to his relatives minutes before the attack.

The document, of more than a thousand words, details structured planning, in which Allen calls himself “Friendly Federal Assassin” and establishes a list of targets focused on high-level officials of the US Republican Government.

In this text, the suspect exposes an ideological vision marked by rejection of the administration and criticism of religious sectors, especially Christianity.

In one of the fragments, he argues that “turning the other cheek” in the face of the oppression of others constitutes complicity, reinterpreting religious principles to justify violence.

Allen states that he sought to minimize collateral damage, considering the use of specific ammunition and avoiding, as far as possible, attacking people other than his objectives.

Despite this, the suspect acknowledges in that text that he could cause indiscriminate harm if he considered it necessary to fulfill his mission.

Another notable component of the document is its analysis of the security of the place where Allen describes what he perceived as a lack of effective controls at the hotel where the event was being held, noting that he was able to enter armed without raising suspicions. These claims are being evaluated by the authorities within the framework of the investigation.

The route prior to the attack is also part of the profile and movements that the authorities are studying, since, according to official sources, the suspect traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and later to Washington, which suggests a planned trip in advance.

After the scandal that concentrated the most recognized media and journalists in the American capital, the suspect was not injured during his arrest, although he was transferred to a hospital for a medical evaluation.

Allen is now scheduled to appear in federal court, facing charges related to the use of a firearm in a violent crime and assault on a federal officer. So far, the authorities consider that he acted alone and have not confirmed direct links with external organizations.

With information from Reuters, AP and local media.

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