Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, appeared in US District Court in Washington on Monday facing charges of attempted assassination of the president, after allegedly opening fire at a security checkpoint outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night.
The formal charge of attempted assassination of the president carries a potential sentence of life in prison.
Allen also faces counts of transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro confirmed in court that additional charges remain possible as the investigation unfolds, as reported by NPR.
What the court heard on Monday
Court documents unsealed on Monday include an email Allen allegedly sent to family members shortly before the attack. In the email, Allen reportedly stated that members of the Trump administration would be considered targets, listed from highest-ranking downward.
Former FBI Director Kash Patel was explicitly excluded from the list. The White House characterised the communication as a manifesto.
One Secret Service agent was shot during the incident. The round was stopped by his protective vest and he was not seriously injured.
Allen was stopped and arrested before reaching the dinner itself, which was attended by President Trump, senior administration officials, lawmakers and journalists. Trump was not physically harmed.
From teacher to federal defendant
Allen reportedly worked as a part-time teacher at C2 Education, a tutoring and test preparation company in California, before Saturday’s incident, as reported by CNN.
No prior criminal record has been publicly identified. Allen holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Caltech and a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Pirro did not confirm a bail decision by the time of reporting. Federal prosecutors are expected to oppose any release given the stated intent in Allen’s alleged manifesto and the level of armament he carried to the venue.
A trial date has not been set. The case is proceeding through federal court in Washington, with the investigation ongoing and further charges not ruled out.
The incident has prompted immediate scrutiny of security protocols at high-profile events involving the president and senior administration officials.
