Vance Was In Area Mins Before Secret Service Shot Man Near WH

Allen booked a three-night stay at the Washington Hilton from Friday through Sunday, according to a newly unsealed probable cause affidavit.

The affidavit states that Allen traveled by train from the Los Angeles area to Chicago last Tuesday, arriving there on Thursday. He then boarded another train that reached Washington on Friday at approximately 1 p.m.

Roughly two hours later, around 3 p.m., he checked into a “specific hotel room” at the Hilton and remained there overnight, according to court documents reviewed by NBC News.

When he was arrested, the newly unsealed probable cause affidavit revealed that he was in possession of a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun and a Rock Island Armory 1911 .38-caliber pistol.

According to firearm transaction records reviewed by law enforcement, he purchased the shotgun from a dealer in California around August 17, 2025. He acquired the pistol from a dealer in a different city in California on October 6, 2023, NBC News noted.

Shortly before the alleged attack, authorities said Allen sent a written manifesto to members of his family describing an intent to target President Donald Trump and other Cabinet officials.

In his manifesto, Allen sharply criticized Trump, falsely accusing him of being a “rapist” and “pedophile,” while also announcing he wanted to target several members of the president’s administration.

He also apologized to his parents, friends, and students for his actions but indicated he felt he had some moral obligation to act.