Indie Game Developer Identified as Suspect in White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting

Cole Tomas Allen, an indie game developer known for his title Bohrdom, has been arrested following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The 31-year-old, who has a background in mechanical engineering and computer science, allegedly opened fire during the event, prompting a swift evacuation of attendees, including former President Trump. Allen's game has faced backlash online since his identification as the shooter. This article delves into his background, the incident, and the aftermath.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 26, 2026, 10:26 IST

Details of the Incident

Cole Tomas Allen, the individual accused in the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, has been revealed to be an indie game developer known for creating Bohrdom, a game available on Steam. This title, which is characterized as a 'non-violent' and skill-based asymmetrical fighting game inspired by chemistry concepts, was launched in 2018. Despite its unique premise, the game has garnered minimal attention, with promotion primarily through YouTube and social media accounts that have little following. Following the revelation of Allen's identity as the shooter, the game, priced at $1.99, faced a wave of negative reviews, commonly referred to as review bombing.

According to a WIRED analysis of public records, Allen appears to have maintained a low online profile. His LinkedIn account indicates he graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 with a degree in mechanical engineering and is expected to complete a master’s in computer science from California State University Dominguez Hills in 2025. A photo on Caltech’s website confirms his participation in the Mechanical Engineering 72 class, which focused on robotics and autonomous vehicle design. Additionally, his name is listed in the graduation program for Dominguez Hills in 2025, while a public facial recognition database reportedly contains only two images of him from his undergraduate years.

Allen has also been employed part-time at C2 Education since March 2020, where he assists students in preparing for the SAT and ACT exams. In December 2024, he was honored as 'Teacher of the Month' by the company, with announcements made on LinkedIn and Facebook.

During the shooting on April 25, former President Trump was unharmed as the 31-year-old suspect allegedly opened fire. Trump, along with Vice President JD Vance and First Lady Melania Trump, was on the dais when the gunfire erupted, prompting a swift evacuation from the venue. Allen, who hails from Torrance, California, is currently in custody. Trump reported that the suspect 'charged 50 yards' to bypass a security checkpoint while armed with multiple weapons, and security footage later captured an individual running past barricades before being subdued.