White House dinner gunman charged with attempted assassination of Trump

Cole Allen allegedly breached security at a presidential press event on Saturday while armed with a shotgun and pistol

The armed suspect who allegedly tried to storm past security at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday has been charged with the attempted assassination of US President Donald Trump.

Cole Allen, 31, a teacher from California, was allegedly armed with a 12 gauge pump action shotgun, a .38-caliber semi-automatic pistol and three knives when he was arrested after his attempt to rush the high-end event on Saturday, Assistant US Attorney Jocelyn Ballantine told a federal court in Washington on Monday.

Federal prosecutors have charged Allen with attempted assassination of the president, interstate transportation of weapons, and discharge of a firearm during a violent crime.

The suspect did not have to enter a plea at this time.

US Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh ordered detention for Allen while the case moves forward. The next hearing is scheduled for Thursday, when it will be determined whether he is eligible for pretrial release.

Allen’s preliminary hearing was set for May 11.

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