Tripped at final moment: Inside failed plot targeting Trump

An attendee of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has described how an armed suspect “fell right at my feet” after running towards the ballroom during a security breach at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night (April 25). 

Erin Thielman, an Air Force veteran who was inside the venue for the annual gala, said she had stepped out of the ballroom to call her son when she noticed the suspect, identified as Cole Allen, moving rapidly through the area towards the event space, Caliber.Az reports via US media.

“I would not have had to take a step forward to touch him,” Thielman said, recalling how close the encounter was.

“I could’ve just bent down to touch him.” She said she immediately ran down a staircase and began attempting to secure access points to the ballroom after noticing that doors were open, driven by concern for the safety of those inside.

Around 2,500 guests were attending the event, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and senior administration officials. “I was very concerned because we had the line of succession to our country in the ballroom, and I didn’t know what they knew,” she said.

Authorities later said Allen was not tackled by security, as initially believed, but instead fell to the ground before being arrested. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said at a briefing that Allen “was not shot but fell to the ground and was promptly arrested.”

Court filings allege Allen was carrying a shotgun, a pistol, and multiple knives. Investigators also cited an alleged document sent to family members shortly before the incident, in which he reportedly outlined intentions to target “administration officials prioritised from highest-ranking to lowest.”

Allen has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president and faces additional firearms-related charges. He appeared in court on Monday for his first hearing but did not enter a plea. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev