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M o n d ay, a p r i l 27, 2026
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D.C. suspect’s background emerges
Man railed against Trump administration in writings BY ERIC TUCKER, ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and MICHAEL BALSAMO Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner railed against Trump administration policies and referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” in writings sent to family members minutes before an attack that authorities increasingly believe was politically motivated, according to a message reviewed by The Associated Press.
The writings, sent shortly before shots were fired Saturday night at the Washington Hilton, made repeated references to President Donald Trump without naming him directly and alluded to grievances over a range of administration actions, including U.S. strikes on boats accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Investigators are treating the writings, along with a trail of social media posts and interviews with family members, as some of the clearest evidence yet of the suspect’s mindset and possible motives. Authorities uncovered what
FBI agents work Sunday at an address in Torrance, Calif., connected to Cole Tomas Allen, who was identified as the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday.
ä Accused gunman is tutor,
computer engineer. PAGE 3A ä DOJ cites shooting to press group to drop ballroom suit. PAGE 6A onelaw enforcement official described as numerous anti-Trump social media posts linked to the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-yearold California man accused of trying to breach a security checkpoint at the dinner while armed with multiple guns and knives.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DAMIAN DOVARGANES
ä See SUSPECT, page 3A
ALL IN THE FAMILy
Fitzpatrick brothers hold on for historic Zurich Classic victory
SUNDAY @ JAZZ FEST
Jazz Fest closes out first weekend with a bang Highlights include Byrne’s blue period, Ball’s tribute, Batiste’s Swamp
BY KEITH SPERA Staff writer
On a steamy Sunday afternoon at the 2026 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Jason Elliott stood in the Gospel Tent sporting a custom T-shirt illustrating one of the day’s dilemmas: “I wish David Byrne and Ron Carter weren’t playing at the same time.” His shirt might also have read, “I wish David Byrne and Jon Batiste Presents Swamp weren’t playing at the same time.” Both promised to be different and special. From what I saw, both were. Jazz Fest had to once again dodge a meteorological bullet. Sunday morning storms delayed the opening of the Fair Grounds gates. But once they opened, sunshine reigned for the rest of the day, evaporating some of the mud. In the Gospel Tent, Tyrrone Foster & the Arc Singers generated their own sort of spiritual
ä See FEST, page 7A
STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE
Alex Fitzpatrick, left, and his brother Matt Fitzpatrick hold the trophy as they celebrate winning the Zurich Classic tournament on Sunday at TPC Louisiana in Avondale. The pair combined for a 1-under 71 in alternate shot play on Sunday to pull out a dramafilled, single-stroke victory. Afterwards, Matt described his pride at winning alongside his brother, ‘Yeah, it means the world. Absolutely speechless. It was a grind today, and he was unbelievable. I couldn’t be more proud. That was just truly unbelievable today.’ ä See complete coverage of the Zurich Classic. PAGE 1C
STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER
David Byrne performs on the Gentilly Stage during the fourth day of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans on Sunday.
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy says he’s delivered for Louisiana Senator touts infrastructure projects, work and health care
BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer
Editor’s note: This story is the first in a series of profiles of major candidates in the U.S. Senate race, to be published over the coming days. U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy stood before 75 people at St. Anthony’s Gardens, a retirement community for seniors in Covington earlier this month, and spoke earnestly for 10 minutes about why he deserves another six years in Washington. He then opened it up for questions that the residents had submitted.
WEATHER HIGH 88 LOW 72 PAGE 6B
ally well” with President Donald Trump and that Trump has signed dozens of his measures into law. U.S. SENATE Cassidy highlighted several of them, including one that he said “gives states and localities exä COMING TUESDAY: JOHN FLEMING tra money to help those with addiction or serious mental health issues.” Cassidy described his decision-making process as a senator, saying it was similar to his method Cassidy peered at a note card and laughed. “Let’s start off with an easy one,” he said with a as a doctor. He collects as much information as tone that indicated it wasn’t actually an easy one. possible, then makes a decision, moves forward and doesn’t look back. “Do I regret my support for RFK Jr.?” “Most times it works,” Cassidy said. “OccasionCassidy laughed again, a little harder as he read a second question. “Do I regret my voting against ally it doesn’t.” President Trump on impeachment?” The two biggest questions confrontOver the next three minutes and 40 seconds, ing Cassidy as he seeks his third term are Cassidy didn’t directly answer either question. ä See CASSIDY, page 4A Instead, he told the crowd that he works “re-
ELECTION 2026
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U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy
13TH yEAR, NO. 258