Gunman, 31, accused of trying to assassinate Trump, took selfie minutes before charging into dinner venue

The man, who allegedly tried to kill U.S. president Donald Trump, took a picture of himself in his hotel room just minutes before charging into the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

The selfie image was submitted in a court filing on Apr. 29, CNBC reported.

Outfit & weapons

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was seen wearing black pants, a black shirt, and a red tie.

Allen was also outfitted with a small leather bag, a shoulder holster, and a sheathed knife.

Prosecutors alleged that the items he was carrying were consistent in appearance with the ammunition bag, knives, pliers and wire cutters that were found on him during the incident on Apr. 25.

Prosecutors also included photos of the weapons that Allen was allegedly carrying on Apr. 25.

According to the court filing, Allen allegedly carried with him a 12-gauge pump action shotgun he bought in 2025 and a .38 calibre semi-automatic pistol he purchased in 2023, Associated Press reported.

He was also armed with two knives, four daggers, and “enough ammunition to take dozens of lives”.

Minutes before the incident

Prosecutors alleged that at about 8:27pm, minutes before the incident, Allen apparently used his phone to track Trump’s whereabouts during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner via live media coverage of the event.

Allen also allegedly scheduled emails with an “Apology and Explanation” attachment to be sent at approximately 8:30pm.

They used the emerging details to argue that Allen should be detained without bond.

A detention hearing is scheduled for Apr. 30 in the U.S. District Court in Washington.

Allen is charged with trying to assassinate Trump, transporting a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

Background

On Apr. 25, Allen allegedly attempted to kill Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

In surveillance footage posted by Trump, he allegedly opened fire at an officer and rushed past security checks outside of the Hilton Hotel ballroom, where the dinner took place, at about 8:40pm.

Seven to eight shots were reportedly fired.

U.S. Secret Service officers arrested Allen.

Trump was unharmed.

A Secret Service officer was shot in the bullet-resistant vest he was wearing and survived.