New images show WHCD shooting suspect run through metal detector

Thursday, April 30, 2026 8:27AM
New images show WHCD shooting suspect run through metal detector

WASHINGTON (KABC) -- New surveillance images obtained by the Washington Post show the moments Cole Allen, a Torrance teacher charged with trying to assassinate President Donald Trump, ran past security outside the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.

The new pictures allegedly show Allen carrying a shotgun as he rushed through the metal detectors.

The Department of Justice said Wednesday agents at the checkpoint observed Allen "fire the shotgun in the direction of the stairs leading down to the ballroom."

Images shared by the Washington Post show an officer firing four shots as the gunman rushes past.

It's still unclear if it was the gunman, or one of the officers, whose gunfire struck a Secret Service agent in the chest. The agent was wearing a bullet-resistant vest and survived.

The Justice Department released more images of Allen just moments before the attack, and also laid out his alleged pre-attack plans in a new court filing on Wednesday.

Before he left his hotel room to allegedly carry out the attack, Allen took a photo of himself strapped up with his arsenal. The photo, included in the court filing, shows him with a black shirt, red tie and knives and weapons attached to his person and in his bag.

The DOJ also released more information about Allen's alleged pre-attack plans, saying that it was something that was planned out before he arrived in Washington.

Prosecutors said that on the day of the correspondents' dinner, Allen allegedly left his hotel room multiple times and tracked the president's movements by accessing a website that follows Trump's schedule.

The DOJ also released details about Allen's weapons and additional ammunition allegedly found during searches of his hotel room and his bedroom in Torrance.

Allen is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

ABC News contributed to this report.

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