DOJ Photo Captures Armed Suspect's Chilling Selfie Before WHCD Attack

Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old teacher from Torrance, California, faces federal charges including attempted assassination of President Donald Trump after allegedly opening fire at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on April 25, 2026. The Justice Department on Wednesday released a selfie Allen took at 8:03 p.m. in his room at the Washington Hilton, the event venue, showing him in a black dress shirt, black slacks and red necktie, with a shoulder holster, sheathed knife, small leather bag, pliers and wire cutters visible.[1][2][3] At around 8:15 p.m., surveillance images captured Allen rushing the terrace-level security checkpoint with a raised 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, firing toward stairs leading to the ballroom as he bypassed metal detectors.[2][3][4] Allen had planned the attack for weeks, reserving a room at the Washington Hilton from April 24 to 26 after traveling by train from near Los Angeles to Chicago, then to D.C., arriving around 1 p.m. on April 24.[4] Firearm records confirm he bought the shotgun on August 17, 2025, and a .38 caliber semi-automatic pistol on October 6, 2023, both recovered from him at the scene.[4] A court filing details his intent to target Trump administration officials, with messages alerting family members shortly before the breach.[2] Secret Service agents responded instantly, with one officer firing four shots as Allen charged past the checkpoint, leading to his arrest at approximately 8:40 p.m.[3][4] Allen, who sustained minor injuries, was treated at Howard University Hospital before custody and invoked his Miranda rights upon questioning.[4] FBI Director Kash Patel stated the evidence clearly shows Allen's purpose was assassination, crediting law enforcement's swift action for preventing success.[4] Searches of Allen's hotel room and Torrance bedroom uncovered additional weapons and ammunition, bolstering the charges of transporting firearms across state lines for a felony and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.[1][3] He was arraigned Monday in U.S. District Court and is scheduled for another appearance Thursday.[3][4] The incident at the high-profile gala, attended by President Trump and hundreds of journalists, has heightened security concerns ahead of major political events.