Footage Shows Armed Suspect Sprinting Through Checkpoint - News Directory 3

Footage Shows Armed Suspect Sprinting Through Checkpoint

May 1, 2026 Ahmed Hassan World
News Context
At a glance
  • The Federal Bureau of Investigation has released surveillance footage of the suspect accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
  • The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen.
  • Federal investigators have reconstructed the movements of the suspect leading up to the incident at the Washington Hilton.
Original source: smh.com.au

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has released surveillance footage of the suspect accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The video shows the individual sprinting through a security checkpoint and raising a firearm.

The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen. According to Department of Justice filings, Allen has been charged with several federal crimes, including attempt to assassinate the President of the United States under 18 U.S.C. ยง 1751(c), transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, and the discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Timeline of Events

Federal investigators have reconstructed the movements of the suspect leading up to the incident at the Washington Hilton. According to reporting from WCVB, Allen made a hotel reservation at the Washington Hilton for the period of April 24 through April 26, 2026.

The investigation indicates that on April 21, 2026, Allen traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago, and subsequently from Chicago to Washington, D.C. He arrived in the capital on April 24, 2026.

The shooting occurred on Saturday, April 25, 2026, outside the ballroom of the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. The released footage captures the moment the suspect breached the checkpoint and produced a weapon.

Security Investigation

The incident has prompted a review of security protocols at the Washington Hilton. Federal investigators are currently analyzing surveillance footage and tracing the suspect’s movements to determine how he was able to bring multiple weapons into the venue.

Surveillance video shows armed suspect running through security checkpoint at WHCD

The Department of Justice also released video showing the suspect allegedly casing the hotel prior to the attack, as reported by TODAY.

Cole Tomas Allen is believed to be associated with a residence in Torrance, California. He remains in federal custody following the charges announced by the Department of Justice.