Prosecutors release video of armed man storming correspondents' dinner
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- Federal prosecutors released video footage showing Cole Tomas Allen attempting to storm the White House Correspondents' Association dinner armed with guns and knives, aiming to kill President Donald Trump.
- The video and authorities confirm that a Secret Service officer shot and returned fire at Allen, who was not hit by friendly fire despite earlier uncertainties.
- Allen, injured but not shot, was apprehended after breaching security at the Washington Hilton, disrupting the high-profile event; he has agreed to remain jailed pending trial and faces charges including attempted assassination and firearms offenses.
- Secret Service Director Sean Curran defended the agency's security measures, stating the attack was stopped quickly at the outer perimeter and that the event's layered security was effective.
- Allen's defense challenges the government's interpretation of his intent, arguing the evidence is speculative and noting that Allen never explicitly mentioned President Trump in his writings.
