Surveillance footage has provided new insight into the shooting incident involving Cole Tomas Allen outside the Washington Hilton during the White House correspondents’ dinner on April 29, 2026. The video, reviewed by multiple agencies, captures the moments leading up to and including the Secret Service officer firing at Allen, who was armed with a shotgun.

The footage shows Allen sprinting about 60 feet through a hallway toward a security checkpoint near the ballroom where former President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other members of the Cabinet were attending the event. Security personnel, many of whom appeared unaware of Allen’s approach, were present at the checkpoint. Only one Secret Service officer is seen reacting in time, drawing his weapon and firing four times within seconds of Allen’s arrival.

Although authorities initially reported that Allen fired his weapon and shot one officer, the video does not clearly show a muzzle flash from Allen’s shotgun. The charging documents allege that Allen discharged a firearm during the crime, and that the officer was struck once in his protective vest before returning fire. However, the footage reviewed does not confirm either the officer being hit or Allen firing at all. The officer sustained minor injuries and has since been released from medical care.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has expressed caution in definitively stating whether the officer was shot. While a used shell casing was found inside Allen’s shotgun, indicating he may have fired, Blanche emphasized the need for further investigation to ascertain the facts. This marks a notable change from his earlier statement suggesting preliminary belief that the gunman had shot the officer.

A recent court filing appears to moderate initial claims, stating only that the officer observed Allen firing the shotgun in the direction of the ballroom stairs. The officer’s rounds, as captured by surveillance footage, were fired in the general vicinity of other security personnel, including Transportation Security Administration agents, some of whom appeared startled and took cover, though no return fire by those agents was observed.

Audio analysis of live streams from inside the ballroom detected six shots within approximately 1.4 seconds, consistent with rapid gunfire, though the surveillance video itself lacks sound. In the aftermath, Allen was apprehended, having suffered minor injuries but no gunshot wounds.

Additional video from the scene shows bullet holes in the wall near Allen’s fall location, apparently consistent with handgun rounds rather than shotgun pellets, according to firearms experts consulted on the imagery.

The Secret Service declined to comment on discrepancies between the visual evidence and official accounts, but stated that their security protocols are rigorously tested and were instrumental in preventing greater harm. Meanwhile, the D.C. U.S. attorney’s office has not issued further comment.

Allen faces multiple charges, including attempted assassination of the president and unlawful transportation of firearms across state lines, as the investigation continues.