Cole Allen, 31, the suspect in last weekend's shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, wrote a lengthy "manifesto" outlining his plans to target Trump administration officials, according to a copy of the document obtained by CBS News. The email, sent to family members before the alleged attack, detailed a methodical approach to reaching high-ranking government officials during the prestigious journalistic event held at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
Background
The White House Correspondents' Dinner, an annual gala celebrating the First Amendment and bringing together journalists, politicians and celebrities, has been a fixture in Washington for decades. More than 2,500 people attended Saturday's event, which was abruptly canceled after Allen allegedly charged a security checkpoint armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Mr. Trump and other administration officials were quickly escorted out of the venue as the situation unfolded.
Allen, who had been staying in a 10th-floor room at the Washington Hilton, sent the manifesto to family members via email before the alleged attack. His brother, alarmed by the contents, contacted police in Connecticut Saturday night to alert authorities. Law enforcement sources told CBS News that investigators subsequently found additional writings both at Allen's home in Torrance, California, and in his hotel room.
The suspect worked as a teacher, according to investigators who said he apologized in the manifesto to colleagues and students for telling them he had a personal emergency. He also expressed remorse to his parents, writing: "I apologize to my parents for saying I had an interview without specifying it was for 'Most Wanted.'"
The Investigation
Authorities say Allen's document revealed detailed intentions regarding his targets. According to the manifesto, he planned to target administration officials "prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest," though he notably excluded FBI Director Patel from his list of intended targets. "I really hope it doesn't come to that," he wrote regarding potential harm to law enforcement, hotel employees and guests who might be caught in any crossfire.
The suspect's writings included strategic considerations for minimizing casualties among unintended victims. "In order to minimize casualties, I will also be using buckshot rather than slugs (less penetration through walls)," Allen wrote. He also indicated he would not target Secret Service agents, Capitol Police or National Guard troops unless necessary to reach his primary targets.
A Secret Service officer who was shot during the incident was wearing a bulletproof vest and released from the hospital Sunday. The document contained a postscript criticizing security measures: "PS... what the hell is the Secret Service doing? No damn security. Not in transport. Not in the hotel. Not in the event." Allen wrote that if he had been an Iranian agent, he could have brought in a machine gun without detection.
Key Takeaways
- Cole Allen, 31, has been identified as the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting attempt
- He allegedly sent a manifesto to family members detailing plans to target Trump administration officials "prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest"
- Allen was armed with a shotgun, handgun and knives when he charged the security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton Hotel
- A Secret Service officer was shot but survived after being wearing protective gear
- The suspect's brother alerted Connecticut authorities after receiving the threatening email
- Investigators found additional writings at Allen's home in California and his hotel room
What's Next
Allen is expected to face federal charges related to the attempted attack on government officials. Mr. Trump has indicated he wants to reschedule the White House Correspondents' Dinner within the next 30 days. The case raises questions about security protocols for high-profile political events, particularly since the Washington Hilton remained a functioning hotel with numerous public spaces during the dinner, meaning only specific areas were secured by the Secret Service rather than the entire building.