The man who opened fire at the annual White House has been identified as Cole Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, who authorities say works as a teacher.

And Donald Trump called him a “lone and deranged offender.”

The incident in question occurred on Saturday night (4/25) at the Washington Hilton hotel, where some 2,500 guests, including the president and members of the administration, were present. The shots were heard shortly after 8:30 p.m.>, near the main security checkpoint, as dinner was being served.

The gunman allegedly fired and moved toward the room. One officer was wounded, but was wearing a bulletproof vest. Authorities said the man was carrying a shotgun, pistol and several knives.

In a profile on LinkedIn with the suspect’s name, he is identified as a mechanical engineering graduate, computer scientist and independent computer game creator, while also describing himself as a “natural-born teacher“.

According to the data shown there, in 2017 he completed a degree in mechanical engineering at the California Institute of Technology, and in 2025 he received a second degree in computer science from California State University Dominguez Hills. Caltech confirmed that a person with the same name graduated that year.

In terms of his work history, he appears to have worked in recent years as a part-time teacher at C2 Education, while also operating as a self-employed game developer. Earlier he held a engineering position at IJK Controls, based in South Pasadena, and for a time also taught at Caltech.

The same profile also mentions a distinction in a robotics competition in 2016, with a local newspaper article about his team’s victory.

Authorities note that the man was a guest at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the dinner was being held, and that he was in possession of multiple weapons, both guns and knives.

After the incident, Allen was taken to a hospital, where he remains in custody while authorities are expected to charge him tomorrow (4/27). Specifically, he faces two main charges that include use of a firearm in a violent crime and assaulting a federal agent with a dangerous weapon, according to D.C. District Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

D.C. police chief Jeffrey Carroll said all indications are that this was an isolated incident, with no broader threat to the public.

Witnesses spoke of scenes of panic in the room. Guests ducked under tables when seven to eight shots were heard. An eyewitness said the shooter appeared from a spot near the entrance where there was no strict security.

After the incident, Trump appeared at a press conference with Melania. She said she initially thought the noise was from a falling object. At the same time, he praised the security forces for their immediate response.

A Secret Service agent was wounded by a gunshot at close range but is expected to make a full recovery. The event will be rescheduled within 30 days.

According to CBS News, the shooter reportedly told police officers that he was targeting officials in the Trump administration. Authorities are planning a search of his California residence, while the investigation into the motivation for the attack continues.

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