Secret Service officer injured by suspect's gunfire at White House event, sources reveal

Gunfire erupted at a high-profile event as a Secret Service officer was struck while on duty, according to multiple law enforcement sources. The officer, protected by a ballistic vest, was not hit by friendly fire, dispelling initial concerns about crossfire among law enforcement personnel.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, is accused of attempting to breach a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton, where President Donald Trump was attending a black-tie dinner for the White House Correspondents’ Association. Video footage captured Allen running with a shotgun and other weapons, leading to an exchange of gunfire with the officer.

The injured officer was promptly transported to a hospital but was released shortly after the incident. Allen faces charges including discharging a weapon and attempted assassination of the president, alongside allegations of interstate transportation of firearms and ammunition intended for a felony.

Investigators are currently analyzing Allen’s electronic devices, which include computers from his California residence and various items recovered from his hotel room. This thorough examination aims to uncover further details about his intentions and actions leading up to the incident.

In court documents filed Wednesday, prosecutors presented selfies taken by Allen in his hotel room just hours before the attack. The images depict him dressed in black with a red necktie, alongside items that matched those found on him during his arrest, including an ammunition bag and a shoulder holster.

Allen reportedly believed he had a duty to target officials from the Trump administration, as indicated by a note sent to family members shortly before he charged the checkpoint. The note expressed remorse and an expectation of no forgiveness.

Those familiar with Allen describe him as a “borderline genius,” highlighting his background as a former NASA intern and his education at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). His interests included coding and engineering, painting a picture of a complex individual.

In an emergency motion filed Wednesday, Allen's federal public defenders raised concerns about their inability to communicate confidentially with him while in custody. U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh swiftly ordered that the Corrections Department facilitate unrestricted legal visits for Allen and his defense team.