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Recently unveiled video from the Justice Department seems to capture Cole Tomas Allen navigating the corridors of the Washington Hilton just hours before the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The footage later depicts him nearing a security checkpoint while armed.
According to federal prosecutors, this visual evidence aligns with their version of events. However, the case is still in its preliminary stages, and the allegations remain to be tested in court.
The video, recorded on April 24, shows 31-year-old Allen meandering through various parts of the hotel, including a visit to the gym where he engages in conversation with a woman stationed at the front desk.
At one point, the footage captures Allen sprinting toward a security checkpoint on Saturday evening, weapon in hand. As he charges past, agents react swiftly, drawing their weapons, and a flash from a Secret Service agent’s muzzle is visible as Allen dashes by.
Just moments before this scene unfolds, an officer is observed crossing the doorway through which Allen would soon emerge, and a K-9 unit seems to respond right before Allen makes his sudden exit.
Cole Allen wearing a graduation gown after obtaining his master’s degree in 2025. (L) A Secret Service agent fires at Cole Allen, suspected in the assassination attempt of President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Cole Allen/LinkedIn; Obtained by The Washington Post)
The footage follows a separate video released Saturday that appeared to show Allen running through the checkpoint toward a ballroom and shooting a U.S. Secret Service agent.
Prosecutors were prepared to present the video during a detention hearing Thursday to argue that Allen posed a danger to the community, but his defense team agreed to detention.
Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, remains in federal custody after his defense agreed not to contest detention at this stage. He faces federal charges including attempted assassination of the president, firearm transport across state lines and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
A Secret Service agent fires at Cole Allen, suspected in the assassination attempt of President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Obtained by The Washington Post)
Federal prosecutors charged him with, among other counts, attempting to assassinate the president of the United States, transporting a firearm across state lines and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Allen is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on May 11.
U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran confirmed Thursday that an agent was shot in the chest while wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to be OK.
Surveillance video released by the Justice Department appears to show suspect Cole Allen rushing a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton with a weapon in hand during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting. (Department of Justice)
Curran said Allen shot the agent, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, while charging through security, though a later Justice Department filing did not repeat that allegation. He is expected to be OK.
Curran said the agent returned fire at Allen but missed.
He also pushed back on speculation that the agent may have been struck by friendly fire, saying the wounded agent was the only person besides Allen who discharged a weapon during the incident.
While an initial criminal complaint alleged Allen shot the agent, that claim was not included in a later Justice Department filing.
Law enforcement personnel detain Cole Tomas Allen, a suspect in the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2026. (Donald J Trump via Truth Social/Handout via Reuters)
The Justice Department also released new photos of evidence tied to the shooting, including weapons and ammunition Allen allegedly had in his possession.
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