The Justice Department released surveillance video showing a suspect charging past security checkpoints during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner [2].
The footage provides a visual record of the security breach at a high-profile event, offering critical evidence in the investigation of an attempted assassination of the U.S. president.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of California, is the suspect seen in the high-quality video bolting through a metal detector [1, 2]. The incident occurred on Saturday, April 22, 2026, at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C. [2, 3].
Federal prosecutors said Allen intended to assassinate President Donald Trump. This claim is based on social-media posts and a manifesto that outlined his intent [1, 4]. The Justice Department released the surveillance footage on Thursday, April 25, 2026 [2].
Allen faces three federal charges, including attempted assassination and related weapons offenses [4]. He made his first court appearance on April 27, 2026 [4].
The video captures the moments Allen bypassed security measures to enter the venue. Investigators are using the footage to determine how the suspect managed to breach the checkpoints at the Hilton hotel, a site heavily secured for the annual dinner.
“The suspect has been charged with attempted assassination of President Donald Trump.”
The release of the surveillance footage serves as a public accounting of a significant security failure at a major political event. By documenting how the suspect bypassed metal detectors and security personnel, the Justice Department is addressing questions regarding the vulnerability of presidential security details and the effectiveness of screening protocols at the Washington Hilton.
