Federal prosecutors released new surveillance video of suspect Cole Tomas Allen on Thursday.
New Video Shows Gunman Rushing Security Checkpoint at WHCD Amid Fears Donald Trump Was Target
The U.S. Department of Justice released footage of a suspect in the alleged attempt on President Trump’s life as he rushed through a hotel security checkpoint and fired at a Secret Service agent.
According to surveillance video released by federal prosecutors, the suspect Cole Tomas Allen appears to survey a corridor at the Washington Hilton Hotel on April 24. On the following evening, Allen rushed through a Secret Service checkpoint at the hotel before the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, DW reported.
The newly-released video shows a Secret Service agent pulling his handgun and firing multiple roundsat Allen as he runs toward and past the checkpoint, holding a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, according to RadarOnline. 31-year-old Allen is a Caltech graduate and tutor from Torrance, California.
On the night of the event, Allen is seen rushing a security checkpoint with a long gun.
Cole Tomas Allen was seen running past security in newly-released footage
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., shared the video on X. She said in a statement, "Today, we are releasing video already provided to the U.S. District Court showing Cole Allen shoot a U.S. Secret Service officer".
The U.S Attorney also said that investigators have found no evidence that the agent was shot by another officer, but did not provide further details on the claim. However, the agent had no serious injuries as the protective gear halted the bullet.
The video, which was captured by security cameras at the Hilton, showed Allen's activities on the night of April 24 and during the evening of April 25, when the WHCA dinner took place.
At the dinner, prominent attendees such as President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel, and several top officials from the Trump administration were present.
New evidence showed Allen's backpack, books, protective goggles, and breathing mask in his room
Apart from the footage, new evidence of Allen's belongings has also been revealed. The items included a backpack containing a breathing mask, protective goggles, and several knives. In other images, shell casings were also found at the scene.
Allen was eventually taken down after tripping over a magnetometer transport box.
Prosecutors have also shared that, besides the shotgun, Allen possessed a .38-calibre handgun, ammunition, and several knives and daggers. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the shotgun contained one ejected shell.
Allen faces charges for attempting to murder Trump, moving a firearm or ammunition across state lines, and firing a weapon during a violent crime. Earlier Thursday, the resident of Torrance, California, waived his right to challenge his pretrial detention.