Cole Tomas Allen

Force in Play

In federal custody; arraigned April 27, 2026

A Secret Service officer's ballistic vest stopped a shotgun round at the Washington Hilton on the evening of April 25. Two days later, federal prosecutors charged the shooter, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, with attempting to assassinate President Trump. Allen had traveled three days by Amtrak from Los Angeles, checked into the hotel as a paying guest, and walked a long gun through a magnetometer before opening fire near the entrance to the ballroom where Trump was expected to speak. Investigators have since linked Allen to thousands of archived social media posts — on X under the handle 'CForce3000' and on Bluesky — documenting a shift from video-game commentary to political rage: comparisons of Trump to Adolf Hitler, encouragement to buy guns, and reposts claiming the 2024 Butler rally shooting was staged.

Updated Apr 28

Force in Play

In custody; hospitalized for evaluation

A gunman carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives charged a Secret Service magnetometer inside the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, exchanging fire with agents before being tackled. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed from the White House Correspondents' Dinner; one Secret Service officer was struck but survived because of body armor. The dinner was canceled at law-enforcement request.

Updated Apr 26