A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., has indicted a 31-year-old man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during last month’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, marking a major development in the high-profile case.
The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, faces four federal charges tied to the April 25 incident at the Washington Hilton. The most serious charge alleges an attempt to assassinate the president during the annual gathering of journalists, public officials, and political figures. Prosecutors have also charged Allen with assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, along with two additional firearms-related offenses involving interstate transportation of a weapon and the use and discharge of a firearm during a violent crime.
The assault charge marks the first formal accusation that Allen shot a Secret Service officer during the incident. Authorities had initially held back confirmation while awaiting ballistic analysis, but the indictment now includes that allegation.
According to court filings, the incident unfolded when Allen allegedly rushed a security checkpoint at the hotel while armed with multiple weapons, including a shotgun and a handgun. Panic spread inside the ballroom as attendees dropped to the floor and took cover, while security personnel moved senior administration officials to secure locations.
Prosecutors describe the incident as an act of political violence, citing a document attributed to Allen that outlined his intent to target high-ranking officials in the Trump administration. The indictment itself remains brief but confirms that the president was a specific target and identifies a federal officer, referred to as V.G., as a victim of the armed confrontation.
Authorities say Allen traveled to Washington with several weapons, including a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, a .38 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and 55 rounds of ammunition. Records indicate he booked a hotel stay weeks in advance and stopped in Chicago while traveling from Los Angeles.
Court filings also reference a photograph allegedly taken shortly before the incident, showing Allen dressed in a black shirt and red tie and carrying items consistent with those recovered later. Investigators say he tracked the president’s movements ahead of time and scheduled a manifesto to be sent to family members, friends, and a former employer.
