Footage from a 2017 television news report has reappeared online after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, drawing attention because it features the man now accused in the attack.
The segment originally aired on ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC) and shows a younger Cole Allen, who at the time was identified as a student at Caltech. In the clip, he presents an early version of a wheelchair safety device during a technology conference centered on improving life for older adults.
1/ WATCH: Cole Allen in his own words…
The California computer scientist, 31, accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner isn’t just any would-be killer — he is an elite-trained engineer from Caltech, where students with perfect SAT scores gain admission.… pic.twitter.com/iU1J4I1wJc
— Asra Nomani (@AsraNomani) April 26, 2026
In the interview, Allen explains that standard wheelchair brakes can stop the wheels but don’t fully secure the chair in place. He said his design aimed to prevent any sliding by stabilizing the chair against the ground.
The report was part of coverage of the “Aging into the Future” conference in Los Angeles, where developers and startups showcased ideas focused on senior care and accessibility. Since the shooting, the video has been widely shared across social media platforms.