The man accused of firing shots at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has raised concerns about the conditions of his detention, claiming they infringe on his rights.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has petitioned a judge to lift the suicide precautions in place at his cell in a Washington, D.C. jail. His cell has been equipped with heightened security measures due to the allegations against him regarding the attempted shooting.
According to recent court documents filed by Allen’s legal team, the Department of Corrections did not identify any specific security threats during his booking on Monday. However, despite this, Allen was placed in a suicide-proof “safe cell” that includes restrictions such as 24-hour lockdown.
This special cell is outfitted with padded walls, and Allen undergoes strip searches whenever he enters or exits, in addition to wearing a vest that his attorneys compare to a straitjacket.
Despite a second evaluation conducted on Tuesday, which also found no evidence of a suicide risk, authorities have recommended that Allen remain under suicide watch precautions.
Allen’s attorneys said despite a second assessment on Tuesday again finding no suicide risks, he was recommended to remain on suicide watch.
They said on Friday a nurse concluded he no longer needed to remain on suicide watch, but Allen has not yet been downgraded to a lower security status.
Prosecutors say Allen attempted to storm the event on Saturday, where President Trump and a number of his top cabinet officials were attending the press event at the Hilton Hotel in Washington DC.
Cole Allen, 31, the suspect who allegedly opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner targeting President Trump, has complained that his prison conditions under ‘suicide watch’ are a violation of his rights
Allen seen in a court sketch making his first court appearance on April 27, where he stood emotionless as he faced major federal charges including the attempted assassination of President Trump. That charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison
Allen made his first court appearance on April 27, where he stood emotionless as he faced major federal charges including the attempted assassination of President Trump. That charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The Justice Department accused Allen, 31, of attempting to attack the dinner – and target Trump and administration officials – by running through a Secret Service checkpoint with a shotgun, handgun, and knives.
Footage showed the alleged gunman sprinting at agents and trying to burst into the room, moments before the president and First Lady Melania Trump were hastily evacuated from the event.
Allen allegedly exchanged gunfire with Secret Service, and a Secret Service agent was shot in the chest but was saved by a ballistic vest, escaping with only minor injuries.
Cole was ‘tackled to the ground’ and handcuffed by law enforcement after he allegedly broke through a security checkpoint and opened fire at the lobby of the Washington Hilton Saturday evening
Allen, from California, center right, pictured with his family at his graduation in 2025
Allen allegedly smuggled a shotgun into the Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was being held
The suspect is also facing a second charge on transportation of a firearm in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony.
The third charge is using a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a minimum of 10 years, as well as the possibility of life imprisonment if prosecutors can prove the weapon was discharged.
Though Allen was quickly subdued and did not enter the large dining hall, many of those in attendance have fretted over how a gunman was even able to get into the building, particularly after two prior assassination attempts on the President’s life.
Prosecutors said Allen was able to sneak several weapons into the hotel for his alleged assassination attempt, including a Mossberg Maverick 12-guage shotgun and hunting knives.
He avoided the hotel’s highly monitored corridors by slipping through an internal stairway that was not as closely surveilled as the hallways and elevators.
PICTURE: Cole Allen is pictured after being detained by Secret Service at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday evening
After running down around 10 stories in the stairwell, the gunman emerged on a lower level close to the initial screening area where magnetometers and Secret Service were stationed.
Allen was tackled to the ground after the exchange of gunfire, and footage showed him shirtless on the floor as he was taken into custody on Saturday night.
According to a manifesto he sent to family members moments before his planned attack, Allen was attempting to take out the President and members of his inner circle.
Allen’s manifesto reportedly read: ‘Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I’m not the person raped in a detention camp. I’m not the fisherman executed without trial.’
