Cole Allen, the California man accused of trying to enter the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner armed with guns and knives, was charged on Monday with attempted murder of US President Donald Trump.Allen appeared in court after a chaotic incident in which shots were fired, Trump was carried off the stage and guests hid under tables. He is also charged with carrying a firearm and ammunition across state lines and discharging a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. He did not file any petition.
A 31-year-old man from Torrance, California, was arrested after the Saturday night shooting and is facing trial in federal court in Washington. A police officer wearing a bullet-resistant vest was shot but is expected to recover, officials said.Prosecutors have not disclosed a motive. However, authorities say that in a message sent to family members minutes before the attack, Allen described himself as a “friendly federal killer,” repeatedly referenced the president without naming him and cited complaints related to several Trump administration actions.Investigators are examining the messages, along with social media posts and interviews with family members, as key evidence of his mindset and possible motives.In a video shared by Trump, a man — who authorities say was armed — is seen jumping through a security barricade as Secret Service agents moved in.Records indicate that Allen is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer. A social media profile matching his name and appearance shows he has worked part-time for the past six years at a company providing admissions counseling and test preparation services to prospective college students.(with AP input)
