TORRANCE, CA — The quiet, tree-lined streets of a historic Torrance neighborhood became the center of a federal investigation this weekend after 31-year-old local resident Cole Tomas Allen was arrested for a brazen shooting attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C.
Allen, a highly educated tutor and amateur game developer, is accused of attempting to rush a security checkpoint while armed with two firearms and multiple knives. The incident occurred on Saturday night at an event attended by President Donald Trump and top administration officials.
The “Friendly Federal Assassin” Manifesto
Minutes before the attack, Allen sent a rambling, 1,000-word message to family members. According to copies obtained by the AP, Allen referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and launched into a series of grievances against the U.S. government under the Trump administration.
The document reportedly shifted between:
- Apologies: Expressions of regret to family, co-workers, and potential bystanders.
- Political Anger: Rebuttals to imagined critics and frustration with current policies.
- Religious Justifications: References to his faith and personal farewells.
Federal authorities have charged Allen with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer. Despite the severity of the charges, Allen had no prior criminal record according to state and federal databases.
Local Roots: A “Polite” Scholar in Torrance
In Torrance, neighbors watched as FBI agents and law enforcement canvassed the Allen family home on Sunday. Those who knew him expressed deep shock, describing a man who seemed more focused on academics than political violence.
- Education: Allen is a graduate of the prestigious California Institute of Technology (Caltech) with a degree in mechanical engineering. He recently earned a master’s degree in computer science from CSU Dominguez Hills in May 2025.
- Professional Life: He was a long-time tutor at C2 Education, even being named “Teacher of the Month” in 2024.
- Community Ties: His father is an elder at Grace United Reformed Church in Torrance.
Bin Tang, a professor at CSU Dominguez Hills, described Allen as a “very good student” who sat in the front row and was “soft-spoken and very polite.”
The Path to Washington
Investigations reveal that Allen legally purchased a .38-caliber semiautomatic pistol in October 2023 and a 12-gauge shotgun last year. Records show he was politically active, recently contributing to a Democratic political action committee and supporting local Democratic judicial candidates.
Beyond his tutoring, Allen was an amateur video game developer. He had previously released a chemistry-based game on the Steam platform and was reportedly working on a new “top-down shooter” game set in space at the time of his arrest.
Security and Investigation
The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is one of the most heavily secured events in the country. Allen was apprehended Saturday night after trying to bypass a checkpoint. While the President was in attendance, law enforcement confirmed the threat was neutralized before Allen could reach the main ballroom.
Community Response
The Torrance community is grappling with how a “star student” and “polite” neighbor could be involved in such a high-stakes federal crime.
We want to hear from you: * Did you know Cole Allen from his time at Caltech or C2 Education?
- As a Torrance resident, are you surprised by this news hitting so close to home?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
