What we know about the suspect in shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
Authorities identified 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen as the suspect who allegedly targeted Trump administration officials during the annual event
Law enforcement officials have identified the suspect in Saturday night's shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California. The incident occurred when the gunman charged a security checkpoint, and shots rang out during the event. This led to an abrupt evacuation of the dinner, though President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were safely removed from the scene by security personnel.[1][2][3][4]
A senior U.S. official told reporters that Allen left behind a written document that investigators are calling a manifesto in which he explicitly stated his intention to target officials within the Trump administration. This document has become a central part of the investigation into the suspect's motives for the attempted attack. Officials noted that the suspect clearly outlined his grievances and specific targets within the current administration in the recovered writings.[2]
On the Sunday following the shooting, President Trump sat down for an interview with Norah O'Donnell on 60 Minutes to discuss the security breach. The conversation focused on the events of the previous night and the suspect's actions at the security checkpoint. The President provided his perspective on the evacuation and the response of law enforcement during the chaotic scene at the annual gathering.[4]
