Prosecutors have released a video capturing the moment when an armed individual attempted to attack 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. The footage shows the suspected assailant, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, pacing a hallway and briefly visiting the hotel gym the day before the incident.
Security footage from the checkpoint depicts federal officers removing magnetometers as the alleged attacker suddenly emerges from a doorway and charges towards them. The gunman swiftly reaches the officers before they are able to react, with only one officer seen drawing his weapon before the assailant passed by. According to Pirro, this officer was shot and returned fire.
Previously, prosecutors had mentioned that the agent was shot in a bullet-resistant vest during the confrontation but had not confirmed Allen as the shooter. Pirro stated that there is no evidence of friendly fire injuring the officer. Allen, a 31-year-old from California, sustained injuries but was not shot during the altercation at the Washington Hilton, which caused a commotion among the attendees, including journalists and government officials.
On the same day, Allen agreed to remain in custody pending trial and did not enter a plea during his court appearance. Court documents revealed that Allen took a self-portrait in his hotel room just before the incident, and he was equipped with an ammunition bag, a shoulder holster for a gun, and a sheathed knife. Reports indicate that Allen referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and expressed discontent over various actions taken by the Trump administration.
Charged with attempted assassination of the president and additional firearms offenses, including discharging a weapon during a violent crime, Allen could face a life sentence if convicted solely on the assassination charge.
