Prosecutor reveals ballistic evidence suspect fired at Secret Service officer
Federal prosecutors said they have recovered physical ballistic evidence linking a man charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner to a shooting. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Sunday that a buckshot pellet from suspect Cole Tomas Allen's shotgun was found embedded in the vest of a Secret Service officer who was shot during the April 25 incident at the Washington Hilton. The officer, wearing a ballistic vest, was hit but not seriously injured and was later released from the hospital. Allen, 31, allegedly ran through a security checkpoint carrying a shotgun and handgun before being subdued by security. Video evidence shows the officer firing five shots at Allen in response; Allen was not struck by gunfire. Allen faces federal charges including attempted assassination of the president. His attorneys have questioned the government's evidence and claim the investigation is ongoing with more forensic analysis to come.
Key facts
- A buckshot pellet recovered from the Secret Service officer's vest matches suspect Cole Tomas Allen's Mossberg pump-action shotgun
- The incident occurred April 25, 2026 at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Dinner with approximately 3,000 people present
- The Secret Service officer fired his weapon five times; Allen was not struck but fell to ground and was arrested
- Allen is charged with attempted assassination of the president, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and illegal interstate transportation of firearms
- Allen purchased his shotgun on August 17, 2025; he has a master's degree in computer science and worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- The officer was wearing a ballistic vest and survived the shooting; he was hospitalized but later released
How different outlets framed it
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning outlets like The Epoch Times and Newsweek emphasize the severity of the alleged assassination attempt, the suspect's extensive preparation and arsenal, and praise for law enforcement's rapid response that prevented harm to the president and attendees.
Limits of this briefing
Allen's defense attorneys have questioned the government's evidence and claim prosecutorial statements go beyond what formal court filings show; additional forensic testing remains ongoing. No major left-leaning outlets were found emphasizing a distinct framing in this search, suggesting broad acceptance of factual reporting across the political spectrum.
Sources
- Washington Post: Pirro says ballistic evidence shows correspondents' dinner suspect shot officer Centre
- NPR: Pellet in Secret Service agent's vest links suspect to WHCD attack, Pirro says Centre
- ABC News: Pirro says there is evidence the alleged correspondents' dinner attacker shot Secret Service officer Centre
- Newsweek: Pirro: Evidence Cole Allen Shot Agent, Raising Stakes in Trump Attack Probe Right
- The Epoch Times: US Attorney Pirro Says Evidence Shows Agent Was Shot by Suspect's Gun During DC Dinner Right