Federal investigators are examining a 1,052-word manifesto written by alleged gunman Cole Tomas Allen after a shooting at the Washington Hilton, where he allegedly attempted to target Donald Trump and senior administration officials-while explicitly excluding Kash Patel from his list of intended victims.
The document, sent to family members moments before Allen exchanged gunfire with U.S. Secret Service agents, has become central to the investigation, particularly a line stating: "Administration officials (not including Mr. Patel): they are targets, prioritised from highest-ranking to lowest." Authorities say the omission of Patel remains unexplained.
The shooting unfolded during a high-profile event attended by administration officials. According to Todd Blanche, the suspect had "set out to target folks that work in the administration, likely including the President." A Secret Service agent was struck but protected by a bulletproof vest and is expected to recover.
Investigators say Allen, a 31-year-old from California, arrived heavily armed, carrying a shotgun, a handgun and knives. Surveillance footage shows him moving through security checkpoints before the confrontation. He was not shot during the exchange and was later taken to a hospital for evaluation.
The manifesto outlines Allen's motivations in ideological and moral terms. Writing to his family, he described himself as a "citizen of the United States of America" who was "no longer willing" to remain passive. He added: "Turning the other cheek when someone else is oppressed is not Christian behaviour; it is complicity in the oppressor's crimes."
Family members alerted authorities shortly before the shooting after receiving the document, but law enforcement officials said the warning came too late to prevent the incident. Handwritten notes recovered at the scene are believed to have been left intentionally for investigators.
Allen's background has added complexity to the case. He graduated from California Institute of Technology in 2017 and later earned a master's degree from California State University Dominguez Hills. He had worked as a tutor and was described by Dylan Wakayama of the Asian American Civic Trust as "very intelligent, proficient in biology, mathematics and science" and "on the nicer, quiet side."
Relatives told investigators that Allen's views had become increasingly radical in recent months. His sister said he spoke about doing "something" to address perceived global issues and had acquired firearms, including two handguns and a shotgun, which were stored at his parents' home without their knowledge.
Authorities also confirmed Allen had attended protests and made a small political donation through ActBlue in 2024. Investigators are assessing whether these activities are relevant to his motives or represent unrelated aspects of his background.
