Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect accused of trying to carry out a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, had assembled multiple weapons in the months and years before the incident.
According to the New York Post, Allen bought a Maverick 12-gauge pump-action shotgun from Turner’s Outdoorsman in August 2025 and an Armscor semi-automatic pistol from CAP Tactical Firearms in October 2023.
Authorities said he stored the weapons at his parents’ home in Torrance and was carrying a shotgun, a pistol, and knives when officers stopped him near the event.
Turner’s Outdoorsman describes itself as “Texas Freedom, California style” and sells outdoor gear along with firearms.
CAP Tactical Firearms is a family-run store operated by Bill Mullen, who said in a past interview that not everyone who owns a firearm is a criminal.
Allen regularly visited shooting ranges to train with his firearms, according to family members told investigators.
He faces two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, with more charges expected after his court appearance.
