WASHINGTON – Federal authorities have charged a man in connection with the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday night, alleging he attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump.
Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect, was presented in court for the first time on Monday at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
He is facing multiple charges, including attempted assassination of the president, transportation of firearms across state lines, and use of a firearm during a violent crime.
Prosecutors said Allen was in possession of several weapons, including a 12-gauge shotgun, a .38 caliber pistol, and knives when he was arrested. Additional dangerous items were also recovered.
Investigators said Allen traveled from California to Washington, D.C. by train and stayed at the Washington Hilton hotel before the attack.
Authorities reported that he had sent a message to family members shortly before the incident, allegedly labeling Trump administration officials as “targets” in a ranked list.
In the same message, he claimed he was carrying multiple weapons and believed he would not be detected as a threat upon entering the venue.
Video footage from the event showed the suspect attempting to force his way through a security checkpoint, triggering a gunfight with law enforcement officers. A Secret Service agent was injured during the exchange.
Top officials, including President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and members of the Cabinet, were evacuated from the venue.
Attendees were seen taking cover as security forces responded to the situation.
The Secret Service confirmed it is working with local police to investigate the shooting near the venue’s screening area.
The incident adds to growing concerns over political violence in the United States, where Trump has previously survived assassination attempts, including a 2024 attack in Pennsylvania.
ia/xf
