Federal prosecutors have disclosed disturbing new evidence against a California man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, including a self-portrait he captured moments before the alleged attack.
According to court documents filed Wednesday, 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California, photographed himself in his Washington Hilton hotel room wearing tactical gear including an ammunition pouch, gun holster, and knife sheath. The image showed Allen dressed in dark clothing with a red necktie just before he allegedly attempted his assault.
Federal authorities say Allen tried to rush security barriers outside the ballroom where Trump and hundreds of media members had gathered for Saturday evening’s gala event. The incident resulted in gunfire between Allen and Secret Service personnel protecting the venue.
The president escaped injury and was quickly evacuated by his protection detail. Speaking from the White House two hours afterward while still wearing his formal attire, Trump commented on the incident.
“When you’re impactful, they go after you. When you’re not impactful, they leave you alone,” Trump stated. “They seem to think he was a lone wolf.”
Prosecutors seeking to keep Allen detained revealed additional planning details in their court submission. They allege he continuously monitored Trump’s whereabouts that evening through online sources, including watching live feeds of the president’s arrival at the hotel. Investigators discovered pre-written emails containing an “Apology and Explanation” document that were automatically sent around 8:30 p.m.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Jones emphasized the severity of the threat in court papers, writing: “He intended to kill and fired his shotgun while trying to breach security and attack his target. Put simply, the defendant poses an uncommonly serious danger to the community if released pending trial. The defendant’s lack of criminal history and other personal circumstances do not alter this conclusion.”
FBI documentation from Monday’s filing revealed extensive advance preparation for the attack. Investigators say Allen booked his hotel accommodation on April 6, securing a room at the same Washington venue where the heavily secured event would occur weeks later. He made a cross-country train journey from California the previous week, arriving at the Washington Hilton one day prior to the dinner for his weekend reservation.
The assault began almost immediately after the evening’s festivities commenced, with officials reporting Allen’s attempt to charge past security positions near the large ballroom filled with media professionals and their guests. Authorities say he carried a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun purchased the previous year and a .38 caliber semiautomatic handgun bought in 2023.
While Allen sustained injuries during the confrontation, he was not struck by gunfire. One Secret Service agent was shot during the incident but survived due to protective body armor, according to officials. Allen’s federal public defender maintains his client’s presumption of innocence.
