Cole Tomas Allen, the man implicated in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, made his initial court appearance looking unfazed as he confronted serious federal allegations, including the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
The Department of Justice has charged 31-year-old Allen with planning an attack on the event, specifically targeting Donald Trump and other officials by breaching a Secret Service checkpoint armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives.
Reportedly, Allen engaged in a gunfight with Secret Service agents at a security point near the ballroom where then-President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were present.
On Monday, Allen was brought before the court dressed in a blue prison jumpsuit, facing the grave charge of attempting to assassinate the President of the United States—a crime that could result in a life sentence.
Throughout the proceedings, Allen remained composed and silent, his hands secured in his lap as prosecutors outlined the three charges against him.
When prompted to confirm his identity, Allen responded in a subdued manner, stating his full name for the court record.
Allen 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.
Allen is being represented by court-appointed attorneys. He said he has no drugs in his system when asked by federal Judge Matthew J Sharpe.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro entered the courtroom five minutes before he entered. She was wearing a light blue shirt and white blazer.
He sat calmly with two attorneys and nodded occasionally when they spoke to him. He was read his rights and said he understood them.
His next hearing will be on Thursday at 11am ET. He has not yet entered a plea.
Federal prosecutors quickly announced hours after the incident on Saturday that Allen would be arraigned on gun charges.
PICTURE: Cole Allen is pictured after being detained by Secret Service at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday evening
Donald Trump and his top officials were rushed out of the dinner by Secret Service agents after four shots were fired outside the ballroom
Allen smuggled a shotgun into the Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was being held
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.
The Mossberg Maverick 12-gauge gun, which he was allegedly holding when he rushed through the security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton, was seen on a carpeted floor.
It was just one of the weapons Allen allegedly brought to the event.
He was also armed with a handgun and knives when he rushed the security checkpoint on the floor above the reception, authorities have said.
After exchanging gunfire with law enforcement, the gunman was tackled to the ground.
Allen was just yards from the dinner where the President, Vice President, First Lady and most of Trump’s Cabinet were dining on Saturday evening when he was apprehended.
Allen was reportedly staying at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner was being held.
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.
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.
Concerns have swirled over how Allen was able to bring the shotgun, a handgun and knives with him into the hotel without detection.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro entered the courtroom five minutes before he entered
He was apprehended on a floor above the reception, though had he been able to continue down just one additional flight of stairs, he could’ve breached the dining hall where Trump and his top officials were dining.
After being evacuated to the White House following the gunfire, Trump noted that the hotel was not a particularly secure venue.
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.
According to the New York Post, Allen’s manifesto 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.’
An agent who was shot in his bulletproof vest was released from the hospital and is in ‘good spirits,’ according to the President.
