Surveillance footage from The Washington Hilton, where the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner was held, shows the suspected gunman trying to force his way through security at the entrance to the event and shooting at a Secret Service agent, according to a post on X by federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro.
The agent was hit but was wearing a bulletproof vest. He was examined by doctors at the hospital and was discharged shortly afterward.
According to Jeanine Pirro, there is no indication the agent was hit by friendly fire amid the chaos at the security checkpoint. The video shows that “Cole Allen shot a US Secret Service officer during his attempt to assassinate the president,” she writes.
The 31-year-old suspect has been charged with attempted murder of President Donald Trump, discharging a weapon during an act of violence, and transporting weapons and ammunition across state lines with the intent to commit a crime. He is being held in custody pending trial.
Hundreds of guests were in the hotel's banquet hall when the shots were fired at security, including President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and a large number of journalists. People ducked under tables in scenes described as chaotic. However, no shots were fired in the room where the dinner was being held.
