WASHINGTON — A suspect identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was arraigned Monday in federal court in Washington, D.C., on preliminary charges stemming from a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday night.
Allen faces at least two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said Saturday night. Additional charges are expected, she added. Authorities said Allen is not cooperating with investigators.
The incident occurred around 8:34 p.m. Saturday at the Washington Hilton, where the annual dinner was underway with President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other senior administration officials in attendance. According to law enforcement officials, Allen charged past a security checkpoint near the main ballroom, armed with a shotgun, a handgun and knives, and opened fire. One Secret Service officer was struck by a bullet but was protected by a bulletproof vest and not seriously injured. Allen was apprehended at the scene after being tackled by law enforcement.
President Trump and other officials were quickly escorted from the ballroom unharmed. Secret Service agents shouted “shots fired” inside the venue, prompting a swift evacuation. The dinner, traditionally a gathering celebrating press freedom that drew about 2,600 attendees, was disrupted as panic spread. It marked the first time Trump attended the event as a sitting president.
Law enforcement sources identified Allen, a part-time teacher and California Institute of Technology graduate, as the suspect. Officials said he sent a message to family members before the incident in which he referred to himself as a “friendly federal assassin” and criticized the Trump administration as well as security at the event. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said investigators believe Allen may have been targeting top administration officials, though specifics remain under review.
FBI agents searched Allen’s home in California following the incident. Details about his background and possible motive have not been fully disclosed by authorities.
Pirro confirmed Allen’s arraignment would take place Monday in federal district court, where he made his initial appearance. “The defendant is being charged with two counts,” she said Saturday, adding that the investigation continues.
No injuries to attendees or other officials were reported beyond the officer who was struck in the vest. The White House Correspondents’ Association and federal authorities have not released further details on the sequence of events inside the secure area.
As of Monday evening, Allen remained in federal custody. The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the FBI.
