Video shows K9 trail suspect gunman moments before WHCD attack
Video shows a police K9 chasing the alleged gunman, Cole Allen, at the Washington Hilton moments before the shooting outside a correspondents’ dinner.
Video released on Thursday, April 30, appears to show a police dog sniffing out alleged gunman Cole Thomas Allen at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner moments before he was shot on Saturday, April 25.
A 33-second video shared by Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, shows Allen wearing a long coat walking down the hallway of the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., where the dinner was being held. As we approached the security checkpoint, lined with magnetometers that resembled walk-through metal detectors, the hallway turned into an open doorway outside.
A vested K-9 on a leash chases Allen across the hallway, his handler following. The dog follows Allen into the room. Both remain off camera for approximately three seconds, at which point the K-9 officer appears to move the dog away from Allen and pull on the leash.
The role of K-9 officers in this event is unknown. Police dogs can assist with a variety of tasks, including detecting illegal substances, electronic devices, and explosives. Some are trained to track down missing people and assist police in apprehending suspects. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s questions about the video, including whether the dog handler was part of the Secret Service’s security team, whether the dog was exhibiting suspicious behavior or whether proper procedures were followed.
Watch it in the video at the top of this story.
K-9 appears to be sniffing Cole Allen before firing
After the dog returns to its owner’s side in the hallway, its human partner continues to stare at the open doorway for approximately 6 seconds. There is no audio recorded on the video, so it is unclear whether the officer was talking to Allen at the time or looking directly at him. As the officer stood toward the room, the dog appeared to walk toward Allen again, but was stopped just in time when the officer grabbed its leash.
After one last glance, the officer turned his back to the room and hallway, leading the dog away from the checkpoint. Only a second after the officers had their backs completely turned, Allen was seen charging from the room, weapon in hand, through one of the standing detectors. A second detector had been removed by officers and placed on the ground shortly before the incident.
The K-9 unit and two officers standing near the detector appear to be the first to respond, either drawing their weapons or, in the case of the K-9 handler, evacuating the dog before returning to the scene.
Former Secret Service Director John McGaw previously told USA TODAY in an exclusive interview that video from the checkpoint area appeared to show guards not paying attention and “just walking around and touching things.”
But many top law enforcement officials have praised the agency’s performance, with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche calling it a “great security success story” in an April 27 press conference. The White House and Secret Service are investigating the incident.
Gunman charged with attempted assassination of president
Cole Thomas Allen, 31, was charged with attempting to assassinate the president after he was caught barging into security at the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents’ Association annual dinner. This is the first time President Trump has attended the dinner while in office.
According to an April 29 court filing, Allen, armed with a 12-gauge shotgun, a .38-caliber pistol, two knives, four daggers, and “enough ammunition to kill dozens of people,” was arrested by USSS officers along with other Cabinet members just feet from a banquet hall where the prime target was. He never made it to the stairs leading to the lower floor where the dinner party was held, USA TODAY reported. Reported. At least one security guard fired a gun during the event, hitting his bulletproof vest.
Allen appeared in federal court in Washington on April 27 on charges of attempting to assassinate President Trump, transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
White House correspondent Joey Garrison contributed to this article.
