White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooter: $25 Donation to Kamala Harris Campaign Confirmed

Cole Tomas Allen, the 31-year-old suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner shooting, donated $25 to the political action committee ActBlue in October 2024, according to multiple verified reports. The contribution, made a month before the 2024 presidential election, was directed to a fund supporting Kamala Harris’s campaign, as confirmed by Federal Election Commission records cited by CNN and other major outlets.

Who Is Cole Tomas Allen?

Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, is a 2017 graduate of the California Institute of Technology. At the time of his arrest, he was working as a teacher while developing computer games. In 2019, he registered the domain name “Bohrdom” for a skill-based, non-violent asymmetrical fighting game he created and released on Steam. Allen earned a master’s degree in computer science from California State University at Dominguez Hills in 2025.

During his time at Caltech, Allen was a member of the school’s Christian fellowship and the Nerf club.

Details of the Shooting Incident

The shooting occurred on Saturday, April 25, 2026, during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and other administration officials were evacuated from the ballroom after Allen rushed security guards and opened fire in the lobby.

Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives when he attacked. He struck a U.S. Secret Service agent in the agent’s bulletproof vest, requiring hospitalization. No guests at the dinner were injured. Allen was quickly subdued by law enforcement and taken into custody.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Metropolitan Police Department Interim Chief Jeffrey Carroll confirmed Allen is believed to have acted alone and was a guest at the hotel where the event was held.

Legal Proceedings and Charges

Allen will be arraigned on April 27, 2026, in federal district court. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced he faces charges of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. Pirro stated that terrorism charges would be considered if evidence supports them.

Allen was transported to a local hospital for evaluation after his arrest, though police confirmed the gunfire did not strike him directly.

Motive and Investigation

According to reports from WION and other outlets, Allen told officials he was targeting Trump administration officials. Authorities have described him as a “lone wolf,” and the investigation into his motive remains ongoing. The White House Correspondents’ Association canceled the remainder of the event following the shooting.

Key Takeaways

• Cole Tomas Allen donated $25 to ActBlue in October 2024, a contribution linked to Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign.
• The shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, 2026, injured one Secret Service agent; no guests were harmed.
• Allen, a teacher and video game developer from Torrance, California, is in federal custody and faces multiple charges.
• Law enforcement believes Allen acted alone and was a guest at the Washington Hilton during the incident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Cole Tomas Allen?

Cole Tomas Allen is a 31-year-old man from Torrance, California. He is a Caltech graduate, former teacher, and computer game developer who earned a master’s degree in computer science in 2025.

What was the nature of Allen’s political donation?

Allen donated $25 to ActBlue in October 2024. ActBlue is a fundraising platform widely used by Democratic candidates and progressive causes, and the contribution was attributed to support for Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.

What charges is Allen facing?

Allen is charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. Additional charges, including possible terrorism-related offenses, are under review.

Was anyone killed in the shooting?

No. While a Secret Service agent was struck by gunfire and hospitalized, no guests at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner were injured or killed.

Where did the shooting take place?

The incident occurred in the lobby of the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C., during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on April 25, 2026.