Who is Cole Allen? What we know about suspect in White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting

A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons and he was taken down

by some very brave members of Secret Service and they acted very quickly. Breaking news at 5am, gunshots ringing out outside the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington DC. The suspected shooter has been identified as a man from Torrance.

Surveillance video shows him sprinting through the lobby of the Washington Hilton and moving past a Secret Service agents who drew their guns to take him down.

This morning, the investigation stretches to Southern California as law enforcement agents try to put those pieces together.

This is Eyewitness News with live breaking news.

Thank you for being with us on this Sunday morning. I'm Tim Caputo.

And I'm Abigail Velez in for Irene Cruz. This morning we have live team coverage on the shooting as we learn more about the suspected

gunman from Torrance.

We do want to begin with Eyewitness News reporter Monica Deanda who is live near the suspect's home in Torrance with the very latest there.

Monica.

Tim, Abigail, good morning. Yeah, we are actually in the neighborhood of the 31 year old suspect Cole Allen. He is accused of firing shots at last night's White House Correspondent dinner. This is actually his home right behind us.

You may be able to see lights are on. We've seen who appear to be federal agents going in and out of the home in the time that we've been here, so still a her of activity, but it is de than what we saw here las This video appears to sho

agents swarmed this neigh this home here on Gray Mu late last night. The law was massive and included gear and armored vehicles out at one point, Air sev

show federal agents speak live inside of that home. armored vehicles. Now, one point Air seven video agents speaking with peop that home. Later, it appe were focused on a second front door. Agents finall before midnight. And as t the mayor of Torrance spo

at the scene. The city of friendly and a safe city. this puts us on the national spotlight. And, of course, you know, we were against violence of any kind, you know, political or racial or any type. And, you know, we're very, very happy that the first responders' agencies in D.C.

captured the perpetrator immediately. But you know, the fact that his home is here doesn't define the city of Torrance this way. The action of one person does not represent the entire city.

Here's what we're just learning about the suspect. 31-year-old Cole Allen graduated Cole Allen gradu in 2017 and from Cal State Hills in 2025. That's acc for both schools. Accordi connected to the suspect. mechanical engineer who n

His current employer, C2 Allen, teacher of the mon Allen is in custody and i been acted alone in this. Now we've also learned two firearms and multiple knives were recovered. As we come back out here live again, fairly quiet on the street but still a lot of activity going on inside of that home here behind us.

And we do know that Alan is expected to be arraigned in court on Monday. Reporting live in Torrance, Monica De Andra, ABC7 Eyewitness News.

Certainly a busy overnight morning there in Torrance. Thank you, Monica. Again, this all started at the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington, DC.

Yeah, the shooting forced President Donald Trump and other top officials to be rushed from the room. ABC's Allison Kosick continues our team coverage

from Washington. This morning, investigators are working to piece together what led up to the gunfire at the Washington Hilton. According to DC police, just after 8.30 Saturday night, a gunman charged a Secret Service checkpoint armed with a handgun, a shotgun, and multiple knives. Authorities say law enforcement quickly engaged, exchanging gunfire with the suspect.

The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen. A Secret Service officer was hit in the vest and taken to the hospital. Officials say he is expected to recover.

This individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser says the suspect was stopped before more damage could be done. US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Janine Pirro, says the suspect is in custody and facing several charges.

Right now, the defendant is being charged with two counts, 924C, using a firearm during a crime of violence, and a second crime under 111, which is assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.

Law enforcement sources tell ABC News, searches tied to the suspect are now underway in both Southern California and Washington, D.C. Investigators have recovered the suspect's phone and other devices, and are working to obtain warrants to examine them.

Preliminary information indicates the suspect traveled from Los Angeles to Chicago and then on to Washington in the days leading up to the incident. Authorities say they are now reconstructing his movements and contacts before he arrived at the hotel.

Officials say the suspect suffered a knee injury during the takedown and is expected to recover. Inside the ballroom, witnesses and the White House travel pool describe hearing loud bangs as Secret Service agents quickly evacuated the president, first lady, vice president, and other senior officials.

Alison Kosick, ABC News, New York.

Governor Gavin Newsom reacting to the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, Newsom posted on X that he is relieved that everyone is safe and that quote a free press is foundational to our country violence is never acceptable.

ABC News senior political correspondent Rachel Scott was in the ballroom when the gunshots rang out. Here's her

immediate reaction after President Trump was evacuated.

Just a dramatic end to the White House Correspondent Center, terrifying. We were sitting at the table here right next to the President when all of a sudden Secret Service rushed in. The President was then rushed off of the stage

along with the entire Cabinet as members here in this ballroom ducked for cover. I'll tell you, I've not seen moments like this since I was with the

president in Butler, PA during

that attempted assassination.

Now Rachel there was referring to the 2024 attempted assassination on then presidential candidate Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally. We will continue our coverage on the shooting at the White House

Correspondents Dinner and the suspects Correspondents Dinner and the suspects local ties later on in the newscast.