Newly released footage from the White House Correspondents Dinner security scare appears to show a K9 unit reacting near a doorway moments before suspect Cole Allen allegedly emerged with a rifle. The dog, named Rex, was reportedly pulled back by his handler shortly before the confrontation unfolded.
Authorities released new footage showing the tense moments before the alleged assassination attempt connected to the White House Correspondents Dinner. The video appears to show Cole Allen, 31, moving through a corridor before a K9 security team followed close behind.
The K9, identified as Rex, seemed to pause and focus near a doorway as if he had detected something unusual. According to the footage described by officials, Rex was then pulled back by his handler moments before Allen allegedly came out from the area and ran into the hallway carrying a rifle.
The incident unfolded while security personnel and Secret Service officers were still operating around the event space. In the footage, a Secret Service officer can be seen confronting Allen and firing several shots as the suspect allegedly advanced toward security staff.
Officials said Allen fired at one Secret Service officer, but the round was stopped by the officer's body armor. The officer was not injured. Security personnel then moved quickly into the corridor and detained Allen outside the camera's view.
Additional video reportedly showed Allen visiting the location a day earlier, including the corridors and hotel fitness center, in what investigators described as possible scouting before the attempted attack.
Allen has been charged with attempting to assassinate the President of the United States, transporting a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Investigators also cited an email Allen allegedly scheduled to send to family members and a former employer before the incident. In it, he apologized for the trouble he caused and included a manifesto accusing the president of serious crimes.
The footage has drawn renewed attention to the role of Rex, the K9 whose reaction came just before the hallway confrontation. While officials have not said whether the dog directly prevented further harm, the timing of Rex's alert is now a central detail in the account of how the security breach unfolded.
