Shooter’s family warned police before attempted assassination of Trump and US officials

Relatives warned authorities that Allen had indicated he was planning on “doing something.”

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

The family of a California man accused of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump and other officials had alerted police to his extremist rhetoric before the attack, CBS News reported, as prosecutors moved forward with initial charges against the suspect.

Relatives of Cole Tomas Allen told authorities they were concerned about his behavior, citing anti-Trump and anti-Christian statements and warning that he had indicated he was planning on “doing something.”

Family members also reported that Allen spent significant time at a shooting range and had previously shared written material that raised alarm.

One relative contacted law enforcement after reviewing those writings.

Allen, 31, was identified as an educator with ties to Torrance, California.

CBS News reported that he received a “Teacher of the Month” award in 2024 and had worked with C2 Education of Torrance, a tutoring service.

A LinkedIn profile linked to the suspect lists a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in computer science.

The profile describes him as a self-employed video game developer who also worked part time as a teacher for a company specializing in tutoring and college test preparation.

C2 Education of Torrance released a statement expressing shock at the incident and stated that it would assist authorities.

“We were shocked to hear the news of the horrifying incident that transpired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner,” the tutoring company said in a statement. “We are cooperating fully with law enforcement to assist them in their investigation. Violence of any kind is never the answer.”

Authorities have begun formal legal proceedings following the incident.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the top prosecutor for Washington, D.C., said Allen will face two charges at this stage: using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.

The reported warnings from family members add to details surrounding the suspect’s background and actions prior to the attempted attack, as investigators continue to examine the case.