The man identified by authorities as the suspect in the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is registered to vote in California with a listed affiliation of “New Progressive Party,” according to publicly available voter records.
Records reviewed show Cole Tomas Allen, 31, is registered at an address in Torrance, California, with that designation and a registration date of September 23, 2016.
Allen was identified by law enforcement as the suspect taken into custody after the shooting at the Washington Hilton, reported Fox News.
Authorities said the incident unfolded Saturday evening when a gunman approached a security checkpoint outside the ballroom and opened fire, prompting Secret Service agents to evacuate President Donald Trump and other officials, reported AP.
A Secret Service agent was struck during the exchange but was protected by a ballistic vest and is expected to recover, officials said.
Law enforcement officials said the suspect was subdued and taken into custody at the scene. Authorities believe he acted alone, and a motive has not been determined.
Officials said the suspect may have been targeting members of the administration, though no specific individuals were identified.
Investigators believe the suspect traveled cross-country by train before the attack, including a route from California through Chicago to Washington, D.C., Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said in television interviews, reported AP.
California election officials list six qualified political parties eligible to participate in the state’s primary elections: Democratic, Republican, American Independent, Green, Libertarian, and Peace and Freedom, according to the California Secretary of State. The “New Progressive Party” does not appear among those recognized parties.
State voter registration systems can include entries that do not correspond to currently qualified political parties, including write-in or legacy designations. California also allows voters to register without selecting a recognized party, known as “No Party Preference.”
Federal authorities are expected to pursue charges related to the shooting. Officials have not publicly indicated that the suspect’s voter registration designation played any role in the incident.