A man accused of opening fire during the White House Correspondents' Dinner allegedly expressed distress and regret in a manifesto sent shortly before the attack, according to reports.
Manifesto sent minutes before shooting
The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, was arrested after the incident that targeted US President Donald Trump and senior officials. The 31-year-old, described as a California-based tutor and amateur video game developer, had no prior criminal record, the Associated Press reported.
In a manifesto allegedly shared with family members minutes before the shooting, Allen referred to himself as "Friendly Federal Assassin" and criticised actions taken by the US government under Trump. The document, cited by the New York Post, stated he intended to target officials from the Trump administration.
"I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes," gunman Cole Allen allegedly wrote in the manifesto, released by the NY Post.
'It's awful. I want to throw up'
Towards the end of the manifesto, Allen appeared to reflect on his actions in stark terms. "Oh and if anyone is curious is how doing something like feels: it's awful. I want to throw up; I want to cry for all the things I wanted to do and never will, for all the people whose trust this betrays; I experience rage thinking about everything this administration has done."
He concluded with a message discouraging imitation: "Can't really recommend it! Stay in school, kids."
What happened at the event
The shooting took place during the high-profile dinner attended by journalists, celebrities and political leaders. Multiple shots were reported, triggering the evacuation of Trump and other officials. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were also present and safely evacuated.
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Authorities said the gunfire occurred outside the main ballroom. The US Secret Service confirmed that one suspect was taken into custody alive, countering earlier claims that the shooter had been killed. Witnesses reported hearing between five and eight shots. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
