Alleged shooter charged with trying to assassinate Trump

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was arrested after exchanging fire with law enforcement and the Secret Service on Sunday Australia time, at the Washington Hilton.

One agent was struck but saved by their bulletproof vest, while Allen was uninjured.

The gunplay took place on a hotel terrace just below the concourse where the gala dinner was held with Trump and Vice President JD Vance both attending.

Charging documents from the US Justice Department, which have now been made public, reveal that Allen – whose name had not previously been confirmed by US authorities – has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president.

He also faces charges of transporting a firearm and ammunition interstate with intent to commit a felony, and shooting a firearm during a crime of violence.

The documents say Trump confirmed his appearance at the annual gala dinner – the first he has attended as president – on March 2 this year.

Allen, the documents allege, booked a reservation at the Hilton “on or about” April 6, for the dates of April 24 to April 26.

He left California for Washington DC via Chicago by train on April 21, arriving in the national capital on April 24.

The gala dinner was set to begin at about 8pm local time on April 25, which is when Trump arrived with First Lady Melania Trump.

“At approximately 8.40pm, Allen approached a security checkpoint on theTerrace Level of the hotel leading to the location of the dinner,” the documents read.

“Allen approached and ranthrough the magnetometer holding a long gun. As he did so, US Secret Service personnel assigned to the checkpoint heard a loud gunshot.

“US Secret Service Officer VG was shot once in the chest; Officer VG was wearing a ballistic vest at the time.

“Officer VG drew his service weapon and fired multiple times at Allen, who fellto the ground and suffered minor injuries but was not shot. Allen was subsequently arrested.

“At the time of his arrest, Allen was in possession of a 12-gauge pump actionshotgun and a Rock Island Armory 1911 .38 caliber pistol on his person.”

Both weapons were found to have been legally purchased.

The charging documents say Allen invoked his right to remain silent after his arrest.

Allen was informed of the charges in his initial court appearance, and remains in custody with a hearing on his detention while awaiting trial scheduled for later in the week.

He said little in court, according to US media, but confirmed that he had not been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the shooting.

Allen, a school teacher with a master’s degree in computer science, delivered a manifesto to his family before the shooting which spoke of his anger at the current White House administration.

While he did not mention Trump by name, according to reports, he did declare that he was “no longer willing to permit a paedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes” – a comment the president took personally when it was read out to him yesterday during an interview with the US 60 Minutes program.

DC Attorney Jeanine Pirro flagged that Allen could face additional charges as the investigation continued.

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