Washington: New details have emerged regarding Cole Tomas Allen, the 31-year-old California man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Minutes before the chaos erupted at the Washington Hilton, Allen reportedly sent a rambling 1,000-word message to his family, referring to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and airing grievances against the administration's policies.

A trail of radicalisation

The writings, reviewed by The Associated Press, highlight a man increasingly disillusioned with the government. Federal investigators are utilising these messages, alongside a history of anti-Trump social media posts, to piece together a motive for what they believe was a politically driven attack.

The suspect’s brother alerted authorities in New London, Connecticut, after receiving the message, while his sister informed investigators that Allen had secretly stockpiled weapons at their parents’ home in Torrance, California. She noted that her brother was “prone to making radical statements”.

The attack and security breach

Despite the heavy security presence typical of the "Nerd Prom”, Allen managed to check into the hotel as a guest after traveling from California by train. In his writings, he reportedly mocked the hotel’s security, expressing surprise at how easily he entered while armed.

During the gala, Allen allegedly attempted to rush the ballroom but was tackled by security. In the ensuing struggle, shots were fired, forcing the president to be rushed offstage. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche noted, “It does appear that he did in fact set out to target folks who work in the administration, likely including the president.”

Background of the suspect

Allen’s background stands in stark contrast to the violence of Saturday night:

Education: A high-achieving academic, he held a master’s degree in computer science from CSU Dominguez Hills and a mechanical engineering degree from Caltech.

Career: He worked as a tutor and was an amateur video game developer.

Civic history: He had previously been featured in local news for developing emergency brakes for wheelchairs and had made a small $25 donation to a Democratic PAC in 2024.

A call for unity

Following the scare, Donald Trump maintained a surprisingly measured tone during a late-night press conference at the White House. Reflecting on the close call—the third such threat in two years—he remarked, “It’s always shocking when something like this happens. Happened to me, a little bit. And that never changes.”

The event, which was canceled following the shooting, is expected to be rescheduled as federal charges against Allen are processed.

AP