Authorities are reviewing a message sent by Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, before he opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. The note, allegedly sent to family members, expressed anger toward the Trump administration and claimed he intended to target officials. Allen, who worked part-time as a teacher and developed video games, was described by his sister as someone who increasingly embraced radical left-wing activism in recent years.
Allen’s public records show he attended the California Institute of Technology, where he participated in the school’s Christian Fellowship and Nerf Club. He graduated with a mechanical engineering degree in 2017 and later taught at C2 Education, a test prep company that named him “teacher of the month” in December 2024. He also published an indie game called Bohrdom on Steam, a non-violent fighting game inspired by chemistry models.
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According to the Federal Election Commission, Allen donated $25 to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in October 2024. Investigators found records showing he legally purchased a .38-caliber pistol in 2023 and a 12-gauge shotgun in 2025. Both purchases required FBI background checks, which cleared him of felony convictions or restraining orders.
The suspect traveled by train from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., and checked into the Washington Hilton, the venue for the dinner. He sent a written statement to family members before the attack, calling himself the “Friendly Federal Assassin” and stating he would “go through most everyone here to get to the targets.” The note apologized to parents, colleagues, and students but framed his actions as a response to “everything this administration has done.”
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Allen’s message referenced grievances about detention camps and called Trump a “traitor.” He also argued that his actions aligned with Christian values, claiming, “Turning the other cheek when someone else is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor’s crimes.” His brother contacted Connecticut police after receiving the message, and other family members alerted local agencies.
At the scene, the suspect charged through a security checkpoint outside the ballroom, wounding a Secret Service agent wearing a bulletproof vest. The agent was treated and released. Law enforcement later interviewed Allen’s sister in Maryland and gathered at a home in Torrance linked to him. A neighbor said Allen was seen “a couple of days ago” but did not live there full-time.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the suspect is being charged with two counts of using a firearm and one count of assault on a federal officer. He is not cooperating with investigators. The motive remains unclear, though preliminary reports suggest he targeted administration officials. His family’s involvement with leftist groups, including “The Wide Awakes,” a historical reference to anti-slavery activists, adds layers to the case.
As the investigation continues, Allen’s dual life as a teacher, engineer, and game developer contrasts with his recent political activism. His Steam page for Bohrdom remains active, and his LinkedIn profile lists work on a second game, First Law. Federal records show he registered a trademark for the game in 2018, though no details about its development are publicly available.
