The man accused of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump during a press gala in Washington on Thursday (April 30) agreed to remain in federal custody as prosecutors pursue charges related to the alleged attack.
According to prosecutors, 31-year-old Cole Allen allegedly attempted to carry out an armed attack before the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night.
Authorities said Allen stormed a security checkpoint and fired a shotgun near the entrance to an event attended by about 2,600 journalists, politicians and government officials at the Washington Hilton.
During Thursday’s court hearing, Allen’s attorney, Tezira Abe, said her client would not immediately challenge prosecutors’ request to keep him in custody pending further court proceedings.
Prosecutors say the attack was carefully planned
Federal prosecutors alleged in court filings that Allen carefully planned the alleged assassination attempt.
According to the government, Allen traveled by train from his hometown in California to Washington with numerous weapons, including a shotgun, a .38 pistol, knives and daggers.
Prosecutors alleged that Allen was “willing to commit a mass shooting in a room full of top US government officials.”
Authorities believe Trump and senior administration officials who attended the dinner were the alleged targets.
The charges include attempted murder
Allen was charged with attempted murder, firearms in the commission of a violent crime and illegal transportation of firearms and ammunition across state lines.
He has not yet entered a plea in the case.
Court documents say Allen allegedly fired the shotgun in the direction of the staircase leading down to the ballroom where the event was taking place.
A United States Secret Service agent reportedly heard a “loud bang” and investigators later found spent cartridges in the barrel of the shotgun.
Questions raised in connection with Secret Service shooting
Defense attorneys disputed parts of the government’s account in court filings, particularly earlier claims that Allen shot a Secret Service agent.
Officials previously said the agent was hit by gunfire but avoided serious injury because of a ballistic vest.
However, prosecutors did not formally argue in court that Allen directly shot the agent.
Allen’s legal team also emphasized that he had no prior criminal record and described him as an active member of his church community.
The email reportedly referenced Trump and officials
Prosecutors said Allen allegedly sent an email to relatives the night of the incident in which he referred to “traitor” and “criminal,” which language investigators said pointed to Trump.
While the email reportedly did not mention Trump by name, prosecutors said it referenced administration officials “from the highest to the lowest ranks.”
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