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The teacher who opened fire at the Washington hotel whilst United States President Donald Trump hosted a dinner has been named. Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance in California, was captured by the authorities after opening fire at the annual correspondants meal and is currently in custody. The suspected shooter stormed a security checkpoint at the hotel, which Mr Trump has later described as "not a particularly secure building", armed with multiple weapons – a shotgun, handgun and knives. Allen exchanged gunfire with a Secret Service Uniformed Division officer, shooting the security personnel's bulletproof vest. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say He was tackled to the ground and handcuffed and taken into custody. The authorities believe he was a "lone actor", DC police chief Jeffrey Carroll said, with the US President describing him as a "lone wolf whack job" who "looked evil" and would spend "life in prison". Allen has no prior convictions and was not previously on US law enforcement's watchlist. His motive remains unclear. Recently awarded "teacher of the month", the shooter's work history includes a teaching assistant at the California Institute of Technology and a mechanical engineer. He is also being described as a self-employed "indie game developer" by US media, calling his creations "Bohrdom" and "First Law" according to reports. The only political activity known of Allen is he made a single $25 donation to Kamala Harris's presidential campaign in 2024. Allen has a degree in computer science from California State University and was listed among graduates in the institution's May 2025 commencement programme. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Donald Trump slams ‘wackjob’ as suspected White House Correspondents’ Dinner gunman identified WATCH: Armed man storms towards ballroom with Donald Trump inside in shocking footage Donald Trump bundled out by Secret Service as shots fired at White House Correspondents’ Dinner In 2014 he participated in a summer undergraduate research fellowship at NASA's Jet Propulsion laboratory. MORE TO FOLLOW... Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
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