A California man accused of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington has pleaded not guilty to multiple federal charges, including attempting to kill the president and shooting a Secret Service officer, during a court appearance on Monday.
Court Appearance
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, did not speak during the brief hearing, with one of his attorneys entering the not guilty plea on his behalf. The suspect appeared in federal court handcuffed, shackled, and dressed in an orange jail uniform for his arraignment.
Alleged Incident
Federal prosecutors allege Allen stormed through a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton on the evening of April 25 while carrying firearms and knives during the annual media gala attended by Trump, US first lady Melania Trump, US vice president JD Vance, and other senior officials.
According to charging documents cited by CNN, Allen approached and ran through a magnetometer while holding a long gun. “As he did so, US Secret Service personnel assigned to the checkpoint heard a loud gunshot,” the documents stated. “US Secret Service Officer VG was shot once in the chest; Officer VG was wearing a ballistic vest at the time.”
Allen faces multiple charges, including attempting to assassinate the president, assaulting a federal officer, and weapons violations. The case is being prosecuted by the US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. A trial date has not yet been set.
