NASA fellow, Computer programmer, teacher: Cole Thomas Allen who opened fire at White House Correspondents dinner
The shooting happened outside the Washington Hilton, where the high-profile event was taking place.
White House shooting: Cole Thomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, has been identified by several media reports as the man arrested after the shooting near the White House Correspondents' Dinner attended by Donald Trump and the First Lady.
The shooting happened outside the Washington Hilton, where the high-profile event was taking place. The incident triggered a quick response from the United States Secret Service and local police.
Investigators said Allen was stopped at a security checkpoint before he could reach the main hall, where around 2,500 guests, including the president, were present. Some unverified social media profiles suggest he works as a mechanical engineer, computer scientist, indie game developer, and part-time teacher in the Los Angeles area.
These profiles also claim he studied at California Institute of Technology, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2017, and later completed a master’s in Computer Science from California State University Dominguez Hills.
Kash Patel, head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said the agency is now looking into the suspect’s background.
"We will be examining this individual's background thoroughly. That process has already started... we will analyse all evidence immediately to make sure that we safeguard this country," Patel said.