US press gala shooter Cole Allen took smirking armed selfie before opening fire

The man charged with attempting to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner and target US President Donald Trump took a smirking selfie while armed inside his hotel room minutes before the incident, according to new court filings. Investigators say the image shows Cole Allen equipped with firearms, knives and ammunition shortly before he moved towards the secured venue.

According to prosecutors, Cole Allen took the photograph at around 8:03 pm (local time) in his hotel room, dressed in black trousers, a black shirt and a red tie, with weapons strapped to his body. The image shows him carrying multiple firearms, knives and ammunition, presenting what investigators describe as a calculated preparation for an attack.

"At approximately 8:03 pm, while back inside his hotel room, the defendant used his cellphone to take a photograph of himself in the mirror," prosecutors said in their filing, as per the Associated Press. They added that Cole Allen had already prepared emails titled "Apology and Explanation", which were automatically sent minutes later.

"Shortly thereafter, the defendant rushed the screening checkpoint on the Terrace Level of the Washington Hilton with a raised shotgun," the filing noted.

Authorities say Cole Allen attempted to force his way past security barricades near the ballroom. He was carrying a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun purchased last year, along with a .38 calibre semiautomatic pistol bought in 2023.

COURT FILING OUTLINES PLAN TO KILL TRUMP

Federal prosecutors have said that Cole Allen poses a significant threat and should remain in custody ahead of trial. In court documents, they said the alleged attack was deliberate and highly dangerous. "He intended to kill and fired his shotgun while trying to breach security and attack his target. Put simply, the defendant poses an uncommonly serious danger to the community if released pending trial," Assistant US Attorney Charles Jones wrote.

Investigators also said he had been closely tracking the US President’s movements that evening, including monitoring live coverage of his arrival at the hotel. This, combined with the timing of the pre-scheduled emails, has been cited as evidence of planning. Cole Allen, who has been charged with multiple offences including attempted assassination of the President, has been arraigned and remains in custody. His federal defender has said he is presumed innocent.

US President Trump was escorted off the stage shortly after the incident and later addressed the situation. "When you’re impactful, they go after you. When you’re not impactful, they leave you alone," he said at the White House hours later. "They seem to think he was a lone wolf."

The dinner had barely begun when Cole Allen tried to race past security barricades near the cavernous ballroom holding hundreds of journalists and other guests, prompting an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service agents tasked with safeguarding the White House event.

- Ends

With inputs from agencies

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