FBI video appears to show suspect shot Secret Service officer at Hilton dinner

A new FBI video appears to show Cole Tomas Allen firing at a Secret Service officer inside the security chaos at the Washington Hilton, then the agent returning fire with five rounds. The footage sharpens the sequence around the April 25 shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, but it does not resolve every question about motive, planning or the full security breakdown.

The dinner was held at the Washington Hilton at 1919 Connecticut Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., with President Donald J. Trump and multiple Cabinet secretaries in attendance. Federal prosecutors say Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, reserved a room at the hotel on April 6 for April 24 through April 26, then traveled by train from near Los Angeles to Chicago and on to Washington, arriving on April 24 around 1 p.m. He checked in later that day, according to court filings.

Prosecutors say video released by federal officials shows Allen casing the Hilton the day before the attack and then moving through the dinner’s security checkpoint. Another image tied to Allen, taken from his cellphone around 8:03 p.m. on April 25, showed him in hotel clothing with items that appeared to include a small leather bag, a shoulder holster, a sheathed knife, pliers and wire cutters.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the video shows Allen shooting a U.S. Secret Service officer and said there was no evidence the shooting was the result of friendly fire. Secret Service Director Sean Curran said the officer was shot point-blank with a shotgun and heroically returned fire, firing five rounds. Officials said the officer’s ballistic vest stopped the shot.

Allen was charged with attempt to assassinate the president, transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. The Justice Department said he was arraigned in U.S. District Court on April 27, and he remained in custody after a detention hearing on April 30.

The FBI said it released the video as part of the continuing investigation and asked the public for tips. The footage now provides the clearest public view yet of the alleged attack, even as investigators continue to piece together how Allen got inside the Hilton, how he moved through the venue and what he intended to do once he reached the dinner.