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WHO IS COLE TOMAS ALLEN?

A LinkedIn profile matching Allen's name described him as a part-time teacher at C2 Education, a test prep and tutoring company, which named Allen its "teacher of the month" in December 2024. CNN

According to his LinkedIn profile, Allen graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and received a master's degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills in May 2025.

Allen also described himself as a video game developer on his LinkedIn profile and appears to have published an indie game called Bohrdom for sale on the Steam gaming platform for $1.99.

Allen contributed $25 to a Democratic Party political action committee in support of Kamala Harris for president in 2024, according to federal campaign finance records. Al Jazeera

Investigators believe Allen was a guest at the Washington Hilton, where the dinner was held. The FBI traced Allen to a home in Torrance, and FBI agents assembled outside that home overnight. CNN No motive has been established. Authorities believe he acted alone.

The mayor of Torrance, California, condemned the shooting, saying Allen's alleged actions do not reflect the values of the Los Angeles suburb. "Torrance is a community built on respect, diversity, hard work, and public safety," Mayor George K. Chen said.

A VENUE WITH A DARK HISTORY

The Washington Hilton is no stranger to political violence. It was at this same sprawling hotel more than four decades ago that President Ronald Reagan was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt by John Hinckley Jr. Saturday night, history repeated its darkest echoes in its hallways.

Saturday was the first time Trump had attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner as president. He was accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump when the shots rang out, and they were seated at the head of the ballroom when events unfolded.

Generally, the Hilton hotel remains open to regular guests during the White House Correspondents' Dinner, and security has typically been focused on the ballroom rather than the hotel at large, with little screening for people not entering the dinner itself. 13newsnow That vulnerability will now face intense scrutiny.

Every frame of video footage from the night will be analyzed. Every second of the evacuation will be examined for lessons learned. And investigators will leave no stone unturned in Allen's background, finances, communications, and movements in the days leading up to the attack.

FBI Director Kash Patel, who was present at the dinner, made clear the investigation is moving fast. "We will be examining this individual's background thoroughly. That process has already started. We will analyze all evidence immediately to make sure that we safeguard this country," Patel said.

Secret Service Director Sean Curran defended the response, saying, "It shows that our multilayered protection works." Al Jazeera

For now, one thing is certain: the president who has survived more attempts on his life than any modern commander-in-chief is not standing down.

"Being president is a very dangerous profession," Trump said Saturday night. "I can't imagine that there is any profession that is more dangerous."

And still — he stays the course.

Samuel López is an investigative reporter for the USA Herald covering national security, federal law enforcement, and the presidency.

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