Federal prosecutors have unveiled a haunting selfie of Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused of plotting to assassinate Donald Trump. This image, taken just moments before Allen allegedly attempted to breach security at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with a shotgun, paints a chilling picture of the events leading up to the incident.
The photograph captures Allen in a hotel room, donning full evening attire—black dress shirt, trousers, and a red necktie tucked into his pants—mere minutes before his supposed attack on the dinner event. According to court documents, he was fully prepared, carrying a small leather bag brimming with ammunition alongside a shoulder holster, a sheathed knife, pliers, and wire cutters.
In addition to the selfie, new video footage released by the Washington Post on Tuesday offers a detailed look at the first moments of the confrontation. The video shows agents firing at the 31-year-old Allen but failing to hit their target, highlighting the tense atmosphere and the immediate reaction of law enforcement during the incident.
‘He was wearing a black dress shirt, black slacks, and what appears to be a red necktie, tucked into his pants,’ the court filing states.
He was also wearing a ‘small leather bag’ filled with ammunition, a shoulder holster, a sheathed knife, pliers, and wire cutters.
New video footage released Tuesday by the Washington Post also provides the clearest look yet at the opening four seconds of the confrontation, with agents firing on Cole Tomas Allen, 31, and missing every shot.
An officer draws his weapon within two seconds of Allen appearing on camera, then fires multiple times in his direction, with at least some rounds passing close to other agents as Allen runs past them.
A new chilling selfie of accused Donald Trump’s ‘would-be assassin’ Cole Tomas Allen was released by federal prosecutors
An officer draws his weapon within two seconds of Allen appearing on camera, then fires multiple times in his direction, with at least some rounds passing close to other agents as Allen runs past them
New video shows Secret Service agents opening fire on the man accused of charging a White House Correspondents’ Dinner security checkpoint with a shotgun in an alleged plot to kill Donald Trump
The footage, shot from a fixed angle, does not show Allen firing his weapon, though authorities have charged him with discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
No muzzle flash from his shotgun is visible as he sprints past agents.
After the video emerged, Secret Service responded by claiming its security measures are ‘rigorously tested’ and ‘were critical in mitigating the threat and preventing significant harm.’
Allen then moves out of frame before tripping and falling at the top of a staircase one floor above the ballroom.
Inside the Washington Hilton, guests dive under tables as Secret Service agents hustle Trump and Vance out of the room.
When asked whether Allen fired the shot that hit the agent, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Monday he couldn’t confirm it and that the forensic analysis is still ongoing.
‘We want to get that right. So we’re still looking at that,’ he added.
The officer did not suffer serious injuries because he was wearing a bulletproof vest, Blanche confirmed.
Inside the Washington Hilton, guests dive under tables as Secret Service agents hustle Trump and Vance out of the room
The footage, shot from a fixed angle, does not show Allen firing his weapon, though authorities have charged him with discharging a firearm during a crime of violence
Despite missing every shot, Blanche praised the Secret Service: ‘Law enforcement did not fail. They did exactly what they are trained to do.’
The Justice Department charged Allen with three felonies, including attempting to assassinate the President of the United States.
If convicted, Allen faces the possibility of life in prison.
Allen traveled by train from Los Angeles to Washington and checked into the Hilton Hotel hosting the dinner before it began.
Allen is also facing a second charge on transportation of a firearm in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony.
The third charge is using a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a minimum of 10 years, as well as the possibility of life imprisonment if prosecutors can prove the weapon was discharged.
Allen is being represented by court-appointed attorneys. He said he has no drugs in his system when asked by federal Judge Matthew J Sharpe.
