THIS is the shocking moment the “would-be assassin” allegedly behind the White House Correspondents’ gala shooting opens fire on a Secret Service agent.
Cole Thomas Allen, 31, stood before a federal magistrate judge on Monday after being accused of launching an attack targeting Donald Trump and other top officials, including JD Vance.
Sign up for The Jattvibe newsletter
Thank you!
Allen appears to discharge a shotgun blast at one of the officers as he sprints past the check point Credit: U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia
The Secret Service officers draw their weapons and chase the suspect down the hallway Credit: U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia
Officials say Allen was armed with a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, a .38-caliber semi-automatic pistol, and three knives when he stormed the gala.
Footage of the moment he charges waiting US Secret Service agents manning a security checkpoint has now been shared.
Jeanine Pirro, US Attorney for the District of Columbia, posted the CCTV video on X (formerly Twitter).
In the footage, filmed at around 8:30pm on April 25, around 10 agents can be seen gathered in a hallway of the Washington DC Hilton.
Footage from the day before the attack appears to show Allen casing the hotel Credit: U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia
Allen was later arrested before he could enter the ballroom Credit: Reuters
Allen is seen walking into a doorway at the end of the corridor, wearing a long black jacket.
A security official with a dog then approaches the doorway and appears to say something.
Suddenly, Allen storms out of the door and sprints up the hall towards the security station with what looks to be a shotgun in his hand – his jacket now removed.
As he passes the security checkpoint he raises the gun and blasts one of the Secret Service agents before running past them and disappearing.
Panicking, the gathered security agents draw their weapons and point them down the hall.
As a group the armed security officers then move off, chasing after the suspect with their guns drawn.
Jeanine Pirro shared the dramatic video with the caption: “Today, we are releasing video already provided to US District Court showing Cole Allen shoot a US Secret Service officer during his attempt to assassinate the President at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“There is no evidence the shooting was the result of friendly fire.
“The video also shows Allen casing the area in the Hilton Hotel the day before the attack. My office along with the FBI will continue this extensive investigation to bring Cole Allen to justice.”
Accused shooter Allen now faces a charge of attempting to assassinate the President of the United States.
The suspect stormed through a security checkpoint Credit: U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia
Officers drew their pistols and chased the suspect down the hallway Credit: U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia
Prosecutors said Allen travelled to the hotel armed with several deadly weapons Credit: AFP
President Trump was rushed from the ballroom when shots rang out Credit: AP
Allen is also charged with transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Prosecutors said Allen travelled to Washington, D.C., armed with several deadly weapons.
The alleged attack unfolded as Trump, Melania Trump, JD Vance, and top officials attended the black-tie dinner.
DoJ officials are still weighing whether to bring further charges, including possible attempted assassination counts.
Allen, a Caltech graduate and part-time teacher, was arrested after being stopped before he reached the packed ballroom.
A Secret Service agent was shot in the chest during the chaos, he survived after the bullet hit his protective vest.
More than 2,000 guests were inside the hotel when the gunfire erupted.
Trump later described Allen as a “would-be assassin” and a “lone wolf whack job.”
He said the suspect was “stopped cold” before entering the ballroom.
“He was fast,” Trump said, adding, “The NFL should sign him.”
Investigators believe Allen had checked into the hotel as a guest before the shooting.
Authorities said he traveled from California to Washington by train and brought weapons with him.
Officials said Allen sent a manifesto to relatives minutes before the attack, allegedly calling himself the “Friendly Federal Assassin.”
