The suspect involved in the gunfire incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner made his initial appearance in federal court on Monday. This session marked the first occasion for the alleged assailant to hear the charges laid against him by federal prosecutors.
Cole Allen, a 31-year-old resident of Torrance, California, faces serious accusations. He allegedly forced his way into the Washington Hilton armed with several weapons, aiming to breach the ballroom where President Donald Trump was present alongside Cabinet members and hundreds of journalists on Saturday night.
Dressed in a blue prison uniform, Allen stood before the court on Monday to face charges that include attempting to assassinate the President of the United States, using a firearm during a violent crime, and transporting a firearm across state lines, as outlined by the Department of Justice.
Allen has not yet submitted a plea and will remain in custody for the time being.
In a dramatic moment captured on social media, Cole Allen was seen lying face down as law enforcement officers detained him following the alleged shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2026. The image was shared by President Trump on Truth Social.
Monday’s court session did not include Allen’s arraignment. Instead, the judge has scheduled a detention hearing for April 30, followed by a preliminary hearing on May 11.
Allen is accused of traveling by train from California to Washington, D.C., while making one stop in Chicago, and checking into the hotel just one day before the planned event.
Cole Allen is arraigned at the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Court House in Washington, D.C., on April 27, 2026. Media set up outside the courthouse as Allen faces charges related to the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner shooting. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
Shortly before the alleged shooting, authorities said Allen sent a written manifesto to members of his family, outlining his intent to target Trump and other Cabinet officials.
Within 30 minutes of the gala starting, Allen allegedly stormed the hotel lobby, equipped with a shotgun, handgun and knives, and breached security barricades that had been erected just one floor above the VIP-filled International Ballroom.
Security officials hunt for threat as shots fired at correspondents’ dinner. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
One Secret Service agent was struck by gunfire in a ballistic vest, and Allen was subsequently tackled by officers and taken into custody.
Allen was not injured, but was transported to a hospital to be evaluated. The Secret Service agent was also taken to receive medical treatment and is recovering.
President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House after an unspecified threat at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)
The chaos was heard from inside the packed ballroom, with the 2,300 attendees taking cover under their tables as Trump and Vice President JD Vance were whisked away by security.
Approximately one hour later, Trump announced that law enforcement had asked attendees to evacuate the building, which was consistent with protocol, adding the event would be rescheduled within 30 days.
After the shooting, Allen’s brother contacted the New London Police Department in Connecticut to report receiving his brother’s alleged manifesto.
The police said in a statement they were contacted at 10:49 p.m. by someone who wanted to share information related to it, and the department said it then immediately alerted federal law enforcement, the Associated Press reported.
Allen faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted on the attempted assassination charge, with the two firearms charges carrying a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison.
Fox News Digital reached out to Allen’s defense team and federal prosecutors for comment.
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