Secret Service Agent Shot At WHCD Was Only One To Return Fire: Affidavit

A Secret Service officer allegedly shot by the suspect charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) Dinner this past weekend was the only agent to return fire, according to an official affidavit filed in federal court on Monday.

The affidavit, filed as part of the criminal complaint against Cole Allen — charged with the transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, and attempt to assassinate the U.S. president — details the moments leading up to the attack and the actions of the Secret Service officer only identified as “V.G.”

According to the affidavit, “[a]t approximately 8:40 p.m., ALLEN approached a security checkpoint on the Terrace Level of the hotel leading to the location of the dinner.”

“ALLEN approached and ran through the magnetometer holding a long gun. As he did so, U.S. Secret Service personnel assigned to the checkpoint heard a loud gunshot. U.S. Secret Service Officer V.G. was shot once in the chest; Officer V.G. was wearing a ballistic vest at the time,” the filing states. “Officer V.G. drew his service weapon and fired multiple times at ALLEN, who fell to the ground and suffered minor injuries but was not shot. ALLEN was subsequently arrested.” (RELATED: Alleged Shooter’s Manifesto Included DEI Self-Audit Before Attack On Trump Officials)

The affidavit, signed by an unidentified Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent, does not state that any other security officers in the vicinity of Allen discharged their weapons, suggesting that it was only “Officer V.G.” who fired several rounds at the suspect. According to the filing, the Secret Service officer only discharged his weapon after being shot himself. The document further states that the suspect “fell to the ground and suffered minor injuries but was not shot. ALLEN was subsequently arrested.”

Charges were brought against Allen at a preliminary hearing Monday in Washington, D.C. Allen’s attorneys are two veteran public defenders, and on Thursday he will have a hearing to discuss longer-term detention, the Politico reported. The assassination attempt charge carries up to a life sentence. (RELATED: Would-Be Trump Assassin Faces Life In Prison, Other Federal Charges)

“At the time of his arrest, ALLEN was in possession of a 12-gauge pump action shotgun and a Rock Island Armory 1911 .38 caliber pistol on his person,” the affidavit notes.