Prosecutors have released dramatic CCTV footage showing the moment an alleged gunman stormed the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in an attempt to kill the US president. The video, posted by US Attorney for Washington Jeanine Pirro on social media on Thursday, April 30, provides a detailed look at the security breach that disrupted the high-profile event.
Footage Details
The nearly six-minute video begins with the alleged gunman, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California, walking back and forth down a hallway the day before the attack. He is also seen briefly checking out the hotel gym. The key moment occurs at the security checkpoint, where federal officers are seen taking down magnetometers. Suddenly, Allen emerges from a doorway and starts sprinting toward them, brandishing a firearm.
The gunman quickly reaches the officers before most of them appear to notice him. Only one officer visible in the video had drawn his gun before Allen passed; Pirro confirmed that this officer was the one shot and who returned fire. Prosecutors had previously stated that the agent was shot in his bullet-resistant vest during the melee but had not confirmed that Allen was the shooter. Pirro clarified that there is no evidence of friendly fire.
Legal Proceedings
Allen, who was injured but not shot during the incident at the Washington Hilton, agreed to remain jailed while awaiting trial. He did not enter a plea during his brief federal court appearance on Thursday. Court papers reveal that Allen took a picture of himself in his hotel room minutes before the attack, wearing an ammunition bag, a shoulder gun holster, and a sheathed knife. He reportedly referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and alluded to grievances over various Trump administration actions.
Allen was charged on Monday with attempted assassination of the president and two additional firearms counts, including discharging a weapon during a crime of violence. If convicted on the assassination count alone, he faces up to life in prison.
