Video: Correspondents’ Dinner suspect runs through security checkpoint with gun

Federal authorities Thursday released the video of Cole Allen, the assassination attempt suspect at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, running through a security checkpoint before being knocked to the ground by Secret Service agents.

The video, which had already been provided to U.S. District Court, shows the Torrance man at the Washington D.C. Hilton Hotel within a 24-hour time frame between Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25.

A portion of the video appears to show Allen walking through a door right next to the hotel gym to access the hallway, which eventually led to the security checkpoint at around 8:23 p.m. ET. About a dozen officers, including at least one Secret Service agent, were standing by the sensor.

Allen was dressed in a black coat as he walked through the hallway, the footage appears to show.

Today, we are releasing video already provided to U.S. District Court showing Cole Allen shoot a U.S. 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… pic.twitter.com/a8gRXkW6BH

— US Attorney Pirro (@USAttyPirro) April 30, 2026

When Allen was closer to the metal detector, he ran through, appearing to point his shotgun at officers, according to the video. By the time he confronted the officers, he was no longer wearing a black coat.

Federal officials had said Allen opened fire during his charge through the security area. A Secret Service officer was shot but saved by a bullet-proof vest.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche had said on Monday that law enforcement fired about five shots at Allen. The suspect not struck by gunfire, but he fell to the ground and was taken into custody. 

The same video released by the office of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro also showed Allen walking around the same area the night before the alleged assassination attempt.

“The video also shows casing the area in the Hilton Hotel the day before the attack,” Pirro’s office said.

The release of the footage came as the 31-year-old man was ordered to remain behind bars ahead of his trial.

Allen, charged with attempting to assassinate the president, transportation of a firearm and ammunition through interstate commerce to commit a felony and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence on Monday, had a bail hearing Thursday. A magistrate judge ordered that he remain behind bars despite a written request from his attorneys, who insisted Allen does not pose a threat to the public.

A preliminary hearing for Allen was tentatively scheduled for May 11.