The man suspected of discharging firearms during the White House Correspondents' Dinner has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Allen is a mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, and teacher by birth.
He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 2017 from the California Institute of Technology and a master's degree in computer science in 2025 from California State University at Dominguez Hills.
Allen is employed as a part-time educator at C2 Education and works as a self-employed game developer.
He was recognized as 'Teacher of the Month' by C2 Education in December 2024.
Allen is charged with two counts of using a firearm during a violent crime and assaulting federal officers.
He may face a sentence of 20 years in prison for the assault and a minimum of 10 years for the weapons charges, with the potential for a life sentence.
Law enforcement officers descended upon Allen's parents' $877,000 residence on Saturday night after his arrest.
Despite having no previous criminal history, Allen is one of four siblings, including two sisters and a brother.
