A 31-year-old man accused of opening fire during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has been charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump.
The suspect, Cole Allen, made a brief appearance in federal court on Monday, where prosecutors laid out a series of serious charges, including attempted assassination, transporting firearms across state lines to commit a felony, and using a weapon during a violent crime.
Allen, dressed in a blue jail uniform, did not enter a plea.
If convicted on the most serious charge, he could face life in prison.
According to prosecutors, Allen travelled from Torrance, California to Washington with the intention of causing large-scale harm.
They say he was armed with a 12-gauge shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives when he approached a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton, where the annual dinner was underway.
The event was attended by thousands of journalists, as well as President Trump and top officials.
Authorities say Allen managed to get close to the main entry point before opening fire, triggering panic inside the venue. Secret Service agents quickly intervened and subdued him.
One agent was struck during the incident, but was protected by a ballistic vest and did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
During Monday’s hearing, prosecutors pushed for Allen to remain in custody while awaiting trial.
His defence team indicated they may challenge that request, noting he has no prior criminal record and is presumed innocent.
A detention hearing has been scheduled for later this week, while a preliminary hearing is set for May 11.
Investigators are also examining Allen’s online footprint.
Officials say he had shared posts critical of Trump’s policies, including comments about the Iran conflict and immigration enforcement. Some of the posts reportedly called for the president’s removal.
Authorities have not said whether those views directly motivated the attack, but described Allen as a lone actor.
The shooting has raised fresh questions about security at one of Washington’s most high-profile political gatherings.
It also marks the third known attempt on Trump’s life, adding to concerns over rising political tensions and threats against public officials.
For now, investigators say their focus remains on understanding how the suspect was able to get so close and whether any warning signs were missed.
