Authorities say Cole Tomas Allen tried to storm the White House Correspondents Association dinner with guns and knives and is charged with attempted assassination of President Donald Trump. Prosecutors allege shots were fired, Trump was rushed off stage, and an officer wearing a bullet-resistant vest was hit but is expected to recover. Allen faces additional federal firearm-related charges.
International
-Sathish Raman
Cole Tomas Allen was charged on Monday with the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump. Authorities said Allen tried to force entry at the White House Correspondents Association dinner. The incident turned chaotic after shots were fired. President Donald Trump was hurried off the stage. Guests reportedly hid under tables during the disturbance.
Authorities say Cole Tomas Allen tried to storm the White House Correspondents Association dinner with guns and knives and is charged with attempted assassination of President Donald Trump. Prosecutors allege shots were fired, Trump was rushed off stage, and an officer wearing a bullet-resistant vest was hit but is expected to recover. Allen faces additional federal firearm-related charges.
Federal prosecutors also accused Allen of transport of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce. Allen was further charged with discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Allen, from Torrance, California, was taken into custody after Saturday night’s shooting. The case was filed in federal court in Washington.
Attempted assassination charge against Donald Trump suspect
Authorities said an officer wearing a bullet-resistant vest was hit in the vest. The officer was expected to recover. Allen appeared in court wearing a blue jail uniform. Allen sat beside lawyers from the federal defenders office. Allen did not enter a plea during the court appearance.
The judge assigned two assistant public defenders to represent Allen. One of the lawyers, Tezira Abe, told the court Allen has no criminal record. Tezira Abe also said Allen is presumed innocent at this time. Prosecutors have not shared any motive for the alleged attack.
Donald Trump case focuses on suspect’s message and posts
In a message reviewed by The Associated Press, authorities said Allen sent notes to family minutes before the attack. Allen called himself a “Friendly Federal Assassin\”. The message referred many times to the Republican president, without naming President Donald Trump. Allen also hinted at grievances about several Trump administration actions.
Investigators were examining the writings alongside social media posts and family interviews. Officials viewed these as key clues about the suspect’s mindset. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Allen travelled by train from California to Chicago. Todd Blanche said Allen then went on to Washington. Officials said Allen checked in at the hotel hosting the gala.
Donald Trump dinner security footage and background details
Video posted by Trump showed a man running past a security barricade. Authorities said the man in the video was armed with guns and knives. Secret Service agents were seen moving quickly toward the man. The footage was part of the information circulating after the shooting.
Records described Allen as a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer. A social media profile with the same name showed related work history. The profile included a photo that appeared to match the suspect. It said Allen worked part-time for six years at an admissions counselling and test preparation company.
With inputs from PTI
