The Los Angeles Times and other local media reported that the suspect was Cole Thomas Allen, 31, who lives in Torrance, California.
The shooting occurred during the annual dinner in Washington. Allen rushed toward the dining area and opened fire, throwing the room into chaos. Trump was immediately evacuated from the stage by security personnel.
Allen was arrested at the scene shortly after the attack. Authorities said he had a shotgun, a handgun and several bladed weapons. Prosecutors charged him with two counts involving the use of a firearm and one count of assaulting a federal official with a dangerous weapon. Washington federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro said the suspect "tried to cause as much harm and destruction as possible."
Allen was described as a high-achieving student in engineering and science. He graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 with a mechanical engineering degree and earned a master's degree in computer engineering in 2025 from California State University, Dominguez Hills. On LinkedIn, he describes himself as a game developer, engineer, scientist and teacher.
He worked as a teacher at C2 Education, a test-prep and tutoring company, and was named "Teacher of the Month" in December 2024. He also worked as an indie game developer. His game "Bohrdom," trademarked in 2019, was released on the Steam platform and has been described as a nonviolent game inspired by chemical models.
People who knew him said they were stunned. Dylan Wakayama, chairman of the Torrance-based nonprofit Asian American Civic Trust, said students viewed Allen as very smart and strong in biology, math and science, and described him as gentle and quiet. Neighbors said they saw him often, exchanged greetings and considered him quiet and not disruptive.
His political leanings appeared unclear. Federal Election Commission records show he donated $25 in 2024 to a Democratic fundraising group, but voter registration records list him as unaffiliated.
The FBI and other investigators were searching a Torrance home believed to be Allen's residence as they looked into the background of the case and his motive.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.