Prosecutors have released a video depicting the moment an armed man reportedly attempted to assassinate the US president during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for Washington, shared the nearly six-minute video on social media, showcasing Cole Tomas Allen walking through a hallway and briefly visiting the hotel gym before the incident.
Security footage captured federal officers removing magnetometers when the alleged gunman suddenly sprinted towards them from a doorway. In the video, only one officer appeared to draw his gun before Allen passed by; Pirro mentioned that this officer was shot and returned fire.
Although prosecutors had initially stated that the agent was shot in a bullet-resistant vest during the altercation, they had not confirmed Allen as the shooter. Pirro emphasized that there was no indication of friendly fire hitting the officer. Allen, a 31-year-old from California, sustained injuries but was not shot during the disturbance at the Washington Hilton, which disrupted the gathering attended by journalists and high-ranking officials.
Allen agreed to remain in custody pending trial after a court appearance. Court documents revealed that Allen took a selfie in his hotel room moments before the incident, equipped with an ammunition bag, a shoulder gun holster, and a sheathed knife. Identified as a “Friendly Federal Assassin,” Allen expressed grievances over various actions of the Trump administration.
He was charged with attempted assassination of the president and two firearm-related offenses, potentially facing life imprisonment if convicted solely on the assassination charge.
