Suspect Cole Thomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, is to make his first appearance in Washington federal court, two days after authorities said they foiled an attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, an annual black-tie gathering of journalists and politicians.
The man accused of shooting a US Secret Service agent as he tried to breach security at a Washington dinner where President Donald Trump was present is expected to face criminal charges in court on Monday.
Charges have not yet been formally filed, but U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in Washington, said Allen will be charged with assault on a federal officer and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch said other charges, including attempted murder, were possible, but the investigation would continue.
Allen left a manifesto with family members, describing himself as a “friendly federal killer” and discussing a plan to target senior Trump administration officials present in the hotel ballroom. Blanch said that their targets probably include Trump himself.
Authorities said Allen booked a room at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the dinner took place, and traveled by train from California to Washington.
Saturday’s shooting disrupted the press dinner, a major event on Washington’s social calendar, sending attendees hiding under tables and forcing law enforcement to escort senior officers from the room.
Trump, who was scheduled to deliver a speech in the evening, was removed from the stage by security personnel after the shots were fired.
The proceedings are expected to be brief on Monday. A judge will advise Allen of his legal rights and prosecutors are expected to seek his custody while the case proceeds.
Allen has not yet responded to the allegations and it is unclear whether the suspect will file a lawsuit.
According to authorities, the suspect allegedly fired at a Secret Service agent at a checkpoint inside the hotel before being tackled and arrested.
Video footage posted online by Trump showed the suspect running quickly down the corridor outside the ballroom.
US officials have said the suspect was captured behind bars and described his capture as a law enforcement success.
While the incident has revived concerns about the safety of Trump, who survived two assassination attempts during his 2024 presidential campaign, and other US officials.
The Secret Service agent was attacked, but a tactical vest stopped the bullet, and the agent was released from the hospital hours later.
Notably, suspect Allen, who was armed with a handgun and several knives in addition to the shotgun, was immediately taken to a local hospital for evaluation following the shooting.
