Alleged would-be Trump assassin shot Secret Service officer ‘point-blank’ in DC hotel, director says

Alleged would-be Trump assassin shot Secret Service officer ‘point-blank’ in DC hotel, director says

Photos show at least eight officers reacting as Cole Allen, 31, allegedly rushed toward the ballroom with a shotgun

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USSS director details security and Secret Service response to WHCA Dinner shooting

WARNING: Graphic content—U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran discusses details of the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner and the actions taken by the Secret Service on ‘The Will Cain Show.’

Secret Service Director Sean Curran confirmed Thursday that Cole Allen shot the officer who was injured in Saturday's alleged assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.

Allen "shot our officer point-blank range with a shotgun," Curran said on "The Will Cain Show." "Our officer heroically returned fire while being shot point-blank range in the chest with a shotgun and was able to get off five shots."

Curran said the officer's actions were an example of "great training."

The officer was shot in his bulletproof vest while Allen allegedly stormed the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday night.

WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' DINNER SHOOTING: TIMELINE TRACES HOW SUSPECT’S ALLEGED CROSS-COUNTRY PLAN UNFOLDED

A Secret Service agent fires at Cole Allen, suspected in the assassination attempt of President Donald Trump, at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Obtained by The Washington Post)

Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday that the shooting of the officer was "not friendly fire."

Curran said it appears Allen was subdued by officers after he "hit his knee, while being engaged by the officer on one of our magnetometer boxes, and began to fall to the ground."

Allen was pictured shirtless after being subdued on the ground. Curran said Allen appeared to be wearing a tactical vest, so officers removed his clothing to ensure he did not have any other devices on him.

The magnetometer was almost 355 feet from the podium at the event, Curran said. Allen descended the stairs, moved into a long hallway, which was separated by a double set of doors, before entering the area where the magnetometers were set up, the director added.

"That's where he broke into a full sprint," Curran said.

Law enforcement personnel detain Cole Tomas Allen, a suspect in the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, in Washington, D.C., U.S. April 25, 2026. (Donald J Trump via Truth Social/Handout via Reuters)

Images from surveillance video outside the Washington Hilton ballroom obtained by The Washington Post show the moment when the alleged would-be assassin charged toward a security checkpoint where he was fired upon by a Secret Service agent.

The photos show several Secret Service agents reacting as Allen, 31, allegedly attempted to gain access to the room that was teeming with high-level government officials, including Trump, Vice President JD Vance and the first and second ladies.

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A Secret Service agent fires at Cole Allen, suspected in the assassination attempt of President Donald Trump, at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Obtained by The Washington Post)

Agents can be seen breaking down one of two magnetometers as the suspect bolted toward them. One agent draws his weapon and fires at the suspect. The photos show four muzzle flashes from those shots.

Cole Allen was pictured in a hotel room before his alleged Trump assassination attempt during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. (Justice Department)

TSA agents, who often partner with Secret Service for security at events featuring the president, can also be seen witnessing the mayhem, as well as a plainclothes security guard who, in one frame, can be seen unholstering his sidearm.

A Secret Service agent fires at Cole Allen, suspected in the assassination attempt of President Donald Trump, at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Obtained by The Washington Post)

WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' DINNER SHOOTING SHARPENS FOCUS ON TRUMP’S BALLROOM CONSTRUCTION PROPOSAL

He held a Mossberg 12-gauge pump-action shotgun with both hands raised parallel to the ground aimed in the direction of the stairs, and fired one shot.

WATCH: WHCA dinner shooting suspect due in court, DOJ reveals selfies

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Allen faces charges of attempting to assassinate the president of the United States, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence and transporting a firearm across state lines.

Pirro also said the suspect will face "many more charges."

He was arraigned in federal court on Tuesday and returned to court on Thursday for a detention hearing.

He did not challenge the Department of Justice's request for him to remain detained as proceedings continue, but the defense did ask the judge to lift the 24-hour lockdown in jail.

A Secret Service agent fires at Cole Allen, suspected in the assassination attempt of President Donald Trump, at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Obtained by The Washington Post)

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Fox News Digital reached out to Allen's attorneys.

Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.

Peter D'Abrosca is a reporter at Fox News Digital covering crime and campus extremism in higher education.

Follow Peter on X at @pmd_reports. Send story tips to peter.dabrosca@fox.com.

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