Forensic Evidence Links Shotgun Pellet to Bullet in Agent's Vest

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro stated that the suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting definitively fired the bullet that hit a Secret Service agent’s vest. Pirro made the announcement during an appearance on CNN with Jake Tapper to discuss the investigation into the attempted White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting.

The CNN article detailing the interview was published at 11:19 AM EDT on Sunday, May 3, 2026. A pellet from the buckshot from the defendant’s Mossberg pump-action shotgun was intertwined with the bullet in the Secret Service agent's vest, Pirro said. The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, is accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Allen wanted President Trump dead during the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting, according to Pirro. Cole Tomas Allen was armed during the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting.

Pirro described the evidence linking Allen to the shot in her statements. Cole Tomas Allen is a Caltech graduate. He is also an indie video game developer. These details emerged in coverage of Allen's background following the incident.

She joined CNN's Jake Tapper to provide updates on the investigation. The discussion focused on new forensic details confirming Allen's involvement.