The suspect in the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner appeared in court Monday afternoon to face charges of attempting to assassinate the president.
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Cole Tomas Allen, 31, a teacher and engineer from California, is accused of opening fire outside the packed ballroom at the Washington Hilton, where President Donald Trump and other White House officials gathered with journalists for the dinner. He appeared in court on Monday in a blue jumpsuit, flanked by U.S. Marshals.
Allen made his initial appearance in front of federal magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh in Washington and was charged with three criminal counts. He answered rudimentary questions from the judge — his full name, age, level of education, an understanding of his rights — in a soft voice. As he walked in, Allen scanned the public gallery, where 40 to 50 members of the press and public sat to observe the proceedings.
Allen was charged with attempting to assassinate the president of the United States, a charge that carries a sentence of up to life in prison if convicted.
He was also charged with transportation of a firearm and ammunition through interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The third count Allen was charged with was discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, which can carry a sentence of an additional term of mandatory minimum of 10 years.
Jocelyn Ballantine, an assistant U.S. attorney, said Allen traveled to Washington with a pump-action shotgun, a semi-automatic pistol, three knives and “other dangerous paraphernalia.” She called for Allen to be held in pre-trial detention. His attorneys said Allen has had no prior charges and is presumed innocent.
The judge set a date for a detention hearing on Thursday.
In a note he sent family members about 10 minutes before the Saturday attack, Allen said it was his duty to target Trump administration officials.
The suspect was breached a checkpoint in the hotel lobby about 8:36 p.m. and ran toward the ballroom where the event was being held, Metropolitan Police Chief Jeffery Carroll said.
Law enforcement exchanged gunfire with the suspect, Carroll said, and ultimately tackled him and took him into custody.
A Secret Service Uniformed Division officer was “struck in the vest” and taken for treatment to a local hospital, Carroll said. The officer was later released from the hospital, a source said early Sunday.
Trump and top members of his Cabinet and Congress were quickly evacuated from the hotel ballroom where the annual event was being held.
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