The man accused of opening fire at a dinner in Washington attended by Donald Trump was charged on Monday, April 27, with attempting to assassinate the US president. Cole Tomas Allen could face life in prison if convicted. Prosecutor Jeanine Pirro said additional charges will be filed against Allen after claiming he moved weapons through several states in the country for the attack.

First modification: 04/27/2026 - 19:32 Last modification: 04/28/2026 - 05:12

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Cole Allen, a 31-year-old teacher living in California, may face "additional charges," Jeanine Pirro, the District of Columbia prosecutor, said in a press conference this Monday, April 27.

"This was an attempted assassination of the president of the United States, in which the accused made clear what his purpose was, and that purpose was to eliminate as many senior Cabinet officials as possible," Pirro stressed to reporters.

Allen made his first appearance in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Monday. for the reading of accusations, which include three federal charges: two crimes related to the use of firearms and another for attempted assassination. The third could carry a sentence of life imprisonment.

The hearing lasted less than half an hour and was presided over by Judge Matthew J. Sharbaugh, who ordered the defendant to appear in court again on April 30 to analyze whether he is released on bail or remains detained during the judicial proceedings.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, originally from Torrance, California, thus faced his first appearance in federal court in Washington, two days after authorities declared they had thwarted an attack during the annual dinner of the association of accredited correspondents at the White House.

In front of the federal court in Washington, the suspect appeared calm, while the prosecution requested his permanent detention under the argument that the attack qualifies as domestic terrorism.

Although the formal charges center on assault on a federal agent and use of firearms, the attempted presidential assassination could carry a sentence of life in prison.

Read also Who is Cole Allen?: the professor accused of shooting at a journalists' dinner with Trump

The annual event where the alleged gunman opened fire brought together journalists and policymakers, including numerous members of the Trump administration and other senior government officials.

The White House indicated that Donald Trump himself was likely among the targets of the suspect who opened fire.

The Secret Service agent was hit, but his bulletproof vest stopped the shot. He was able to leave the hospital a few hours later.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated that other charges, including attempted murder, are possible, but that the investigation continues.

"Friendly Federal Killer"

Cole Allen left a manifesto with family members calling himself a "friendly federal assassin" and mentioning his plan to attack senior Trump administration officials present in the hotel ballroom.

Allen had booked a room at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the dinner would be held, and traveled by train from California to Washington, authorities said.

Cole Allen, who was armed with a gun and several knives as well as a shotgun according to authorities, was also taken to a local hospital for examination.

The shooting on Saturday, April 25, spread panic during the gala dinner. Attendees took refuge under tables and law enforcement had to hastily evacuate senior officials. The event was later cancelled.

Donald Trump expressed his hope that a new dinner could be organized within 30 days.

The tenant of the White House, who was due to speak later that night, was urgently evacuated by his security service after the shots were fired.

According to authorities, the suspect allegedly shot a Secret Service agent with a shotgun at a checkpoint inside the hotel before being subdued and arrested.

A video posted online by Donald Trump shows the suspect running down a hallway outside the ballroom.

US authorities declared that the suspect was subdued just inside the security perimeter and hailed his arrest as a success for law enforcement.

However, this incident has revived concerns about the safety of Donald Trump, who was the target of two assassination attempts during the 2024 presidential campaign.

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