A man accused of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has been charged with three federal crimes, prosecutors said following his first court appearance.
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Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, appeared in federal court on Monday after authorities said he tried to force his way toward the ballroom hosting the annual press gala in Washington on Saturday night. Prosecutors charged him with attempting to assassinate the president, transporting firearms to commit a felony and unlawfully discharging a firearm during a violent crime.
The attempted assassination charge carries a possible life sentence if he is convicted.
Allen, dressed in a blue jail jumpsuit, sat beside lawyers from the federal defender’s office during the hearing. Three US marshals stood behind him throughout the proceedings.
Alleged attack at hotel gala
According to prosecutors, Allen arrived at the Washington Hilton on Friday, 24 April, where the high-profile dinner was being held. Authorities said that shortly before 8:40 p.m. on Saturday he rushed through security on a floor above the event’s reception area.
Officials said he was confronted by law enforcement officers as he attempted to move toward the ballroom where the black-tie event was under way.
During the confrontation, a federal officer was shot in the chest. The officer was protected by a ballistic vest and survived the incident. The officer returned fire five times but did not hit the suspect, officials said.
Allen was arrested at the scene.
Prosecutors told the court that the suspect was carrying a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, a handgun and three knives when he was detained.
Officials say more charges possible
Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, attended the hearing and later spoke at a press conference alongside acting attorney general Todd Blanche and FBI director Kash Patel.
Pirro said prosecutors expected additional charges to be filed as investigators continue examining the case.
“Let this be a message to anyone who thinks Washington DC is the place to act out political violence,” she said. “If you cross state lines with a firearm to carry out such plans, we will track you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
Blanche told reporters that authorities believe Allen had travelled by train from California to Chicago and then onward to Washington before checking into the hotel.
Investigators have been searching an address in Torrance linked to the suspect and are examining writings reportedly found in his hotel room. Officials said Allen is not actively cooperating with investigators.
A records search in Los Angeles County found no previous criminal or civil court cases linked to Allen.
Security response and investigation
Authorities said the suspect is believed to have acted alone, and investigators have not yet determined a clear motive.
President Trump and senior administration officials were moved to safety during the incident. A federal agent who was injured in the shooting was later released from hospital on Sunday.
Trump had agreed to attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner for the first time as a sitting president after previously declining invitations during earlier years of his presidency.
Several senior officials were present at the event, including Vice-President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with hundreds of journalists and invited guests.
After the incident, Trump described the suspect as a “lone wolf” attacker and said being president was “a dangerous profession”.
Allen is scheduled to return to court for a detention hearing on 30 April and a preliminary hearing on 11 May as the investigation continues.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 28 April 2026
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