Gunfire erupted just feet from one of Washington’s highest-profile political events last month — and now the man accused of targeting President Donald Trump is officially fighting the charges in federal court.
Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old California teacher and engineer, pleaded not guilty Monday to a series of federal charges tied to what prosecutors describe as an attempted assassination plot against the president during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on April 25.
Allen appeared in federal court for arraignment after authorities said he stormed through a security checkpoint outside the Washington Hilton Hotel armed with multiple firearms and knives while Trump, Cabinet officials, lawmakers, and members of the media were gathered inside.
According to investigators, the situation exploded into chaos within seconds.
A U.S. Secret Service officer confronted Allen near the checkpoint, leading to a gunfire exchange outside the event. The officer was struck once in the chest but survived thanks in part to a ballistic vest. Officials said the agent was treated at a nearby hospital and later released.
Allen was not hit during the exchange and was taken into custody at the scene.
Inside the ballroom, panic spread rapidly as Secret Service agents evacuated Trump and several top officials while attendees reportedly dove under tables for cover.
Federal prosecutors charged Allen with attempting to assassinate the President of the United States along with multiple weapons-related offenses tied to the incident. He was also indicted on Tuesday with a new charge of assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, according to NBC News.
