Investigators develop working theory on why Kash Patel was spared from WHCD shooter’s list

The FBI director's exemption from the shooter’s target list likely stemmed from the suspect’s desire not to target law enforcement
FBI director Kash Patel speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House after an unspecified threat at the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
FBI director Kash Patel speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House after an unspecified threat at the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

WASHINGTON, DC: The initial investigation into the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting on Saturday, April 25, revealed that the suspected gunman wanted to kill any member of the Trump administration he could find, but not FBI Director Kash Patel.

The sounds of gunshots rocked the Washington Hilton on Saturday evening around 8.30 pm, when a man intending to reportedly assassinate President Donald Trump, opened fire near the security screening area.

Secret service agents respond during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Secret service agents respond during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Probe team reveals why gunman wanted to spare Kash Patel

While the federal investigation team is working to find out why Patel was specifically spared from the gunman’s screed, they have developed a working theory behind the move.

Sources tell the New York Post that Patel’s exemption from the shooter’s target list would have stemmed from the suspect’s desire not to target law enforcement. The gunman would have preferred focusing on Trump, whom he ranted against in the manifesto.

“Anything would really just be speculation, but he took the time to go through why he wasn’t targeting all of the law-enforcement agencies, so I think it’s probably related to that,” a law enforcement source told The Post.

FBI director Kash Patel talks on the phone during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)
FBI director Kash Patel talks on the phone during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

Alternatively, “[Allen] was pretty anti-Christian and Kash is Hindu,” the source said.

While the probe team is still investigating the true motive behind the move, another source said that Allen “specifically said he didn’t want to target law enforcement. That’s why.”

Cole Allen leaves behind a manifesto

The 31-year-old teacher, Cole Allen, who is behind bars now, left behind a horrifying manifesto detailing his “rules of engagement” for the planned Saturday shooting.

Administration officials (not including Mr Patel): they are the targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest,” Allen wrote in the 1,052-word screed.

(TruthSocial/@realDonaldTrump)
Cole Allen wrote a horrifying manifesto detailing his 'rules of engagement' for the planned Saturday shooting(TruthSocial/@realDonaldTrump)

“Secret Service: they are targets only if necessary, and to be incapacitated non-lethally if possible.

“Hotel Security: not targets if at all possible (aka unless they shoot at me),” the shooter continued, adding that Washington Metro police officers and National Guard troops were to be treated in the same way.

Hotel staffers and guests were “not targets at all,” he wrote.

WHCD Shooter is not cooperating in probe

The Acting Attorney General, Todd Blanche, on Sunday, April 26, said that the suspect gunman is not cooperating with the probe following his arrest.

From left, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and FBI Director Kash Patel, speak during a news conference at the Department of Justice, on Monday April 27, 2026, in Washington, following the initial appearance in federal court of the suspected White House Correspondents Dinner gunman, Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Jeanine Pirro speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Washington, DC (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Shortly after Cole Allen appeared for his initial hearing before the federal court on Monday, April 27, Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, held a press briefing and announced that the additional charges would be imposed on the WHCD suspected shooter.

After his arrest following the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump, the suspect gunman, 31-year-old teacher Cole Allen, invoked his right to remain silent, revealed the court documents.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Katie Zacharia received her first ticket in Los Angeles County in June 2023 and was assigned a traffic school course
2026-10-17T09:01:12.000Z
Griffin John II had previously attended Silver Rail Elementary School, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said
2026-10-17T08:28:53.000Z
Paolo Zampolli has been ousted from his State Department role following a bitter feud with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau
2026-10-17T07:40:59.000Z
The messages reportedly arrived in April, months after Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson, Arizona, home on February 1
2026-10-17T05:18:30.000Z
Susie Wiles faces allegations of orchestrating Katie Zacharia’s abrupt White House exit by influencing her tough Fox News interviews
2026-10-17T03:06:45.000Z
Shauntai Nickerson said she had seen no signs of violence in her son, but did not explain how he had got the shotgun
2026-10-16T22:11:25.000Z
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances behind the shooting, including Griffin’s background and what may have motivated the attack
2026-10-16T18:01:29.000Z
The questions about Zacharia’s qualifications escalated after she struggled to answer reporters who asked where she had passed the bar exam
2026-10-16T16:09:41.000Z
Ivanka wore a navy blue gown with a high neckline and sparkling shoulder detail, while Trump sported a navy suit and blue tie
2026-10-16T08:53:15.000Z
Bryon and Kristi Noem’s three children are all adults, meaning child support is not part of the proceedings
2026-10-16T06:45:42.000Z