Security forces overpower suspect Cole Tomas Allen after gunfire
Washington, DC: A 31-year-old man suspected of opening fire near the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday night has been identified as a teacher and video game developer from Southern California, according to officials and public records.
The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, is a resident of Torrance, a suburb of Los Angeles. Law enforcement sources say he was apprehended at the scene after being subdued near the high-profile event attended by President Donald Trump and other prominent figures.
Professional Background
Allen has been working as a part-time teacher at a test preparation and tutoring company, where he was recognized as “Teacher of the Month” in December 2024, based on company social media posts.
Education and Academic Achievements
His academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology, completed in 2017, and a master’s degree in computer science from California State University-Dominguez Hills, earned in 2024.
During his college years, Allen gained attention for developing a prototype emergency braking system for wheelchairs, which was featured in a local news report.
Work in Gaming Industry
In addition to teaching, Allen described himself as a video game developer. He released an independent game titled Bohrdom on the Steam platform and had been working on another project under the working title First Law.
Political Contribution
Public campaign finance records also show that Allen made a small political donation to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in October 2024.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and have not yet released further details about a possible motive.
