The suspect in custody following a shooting that caused President Donald Trump and top administration officials to quickly evacuate from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner Saturday night is a man from Torrance, federal officials familiar with the investigation said.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, allegedly rushed at a security checkpoint in the lobby of the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., where the annual black-tie gala was being held, before exchanging gunfire with law enforcement and getting tackled.
The U.S. Secret Service evacuated the president, Vice President JD Vance, and the first and second lady from the stage in the ballroom, while reporters ducked under their tables. The agency said Trump and “all protectees” were not injured.
A Secret Service officer was struck in the gunfire exchange but survived, according to the president. Allen, who was not shot, was taken to the hospital, police said.
In a press conference, Trump said the suspect is from California, was armed with multiple weapons — including a handgun, shotgun and knives — and is believed to be a “lone wolf.” Late Saturday night, Bill Essayli, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, confirmed the FBI was preparing to serve a search warrant at Allen’s home in Torrance.
Torrance police officers, FBI agents and the Secret Service could be seen descending on the home where the alleged suspect is believed to live. Macy Jenkins reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
An NBCLA crew was outside a home in Torrance where Allen is believed to live. Police officers, FBI agents and the Secret Service could be seen descending on the home throughout the night. At 11:45 p.m., armed FBI agents were seen moving into the home.
Allen was allegedly a guest at the hotel. He will be arraigned on two charges, according to Jeanine Pirro, U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.
Authorities previously said the suspect has no criminal record and was not the radar of law enforcement in Washington.
Many attendees who had left the ballroom were unable to return amid confusion about whether the dinner would resume. The dinner was later scrapped and is expected to be rescheduled.
The focus in the early stage of this investigation is on preservation of both physical and digital evidence. Eric Leonard reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
NBC News contributed to this report.
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information arrives.
