Cole Allen: What we know about press gala shooting suspect

Social media profiles believed to be linked to Cole Tomas Allen, the man arrested in connection with the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, suggest he had an academic and professional background in engineering and technology.

Images circulating online appear to match Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, including a profile photo showing him in graduation attire after completing a master’s degree in computer science from California State University-Dominguez Hills.

According to publicly available information, Allen earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2017 from the California Institute of Technology. During his time there, he reportedly participated in student activities, including a Christian fellowship group.

Media archives also show Allen featured in a local television report during his university years, where he presented a prototype emergency braking system for wheelchairs.

Records indicate he made a small political donation in support of a 2024 presidential campaign. His online résumé states he had been working for several years at C2 Education, a company offering academic tutoring and test preparation services.

Posts attributed to Allen also suggest an interest in video game development, including projects related to science-based and combat-style games.

Authorities have not yet publicly confirmed the full details of his background, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.