A man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House correspondents’ dinner has entered a plea of not guilty. Cole Allen faces charges of trying to kill the president, assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, and two additional firearms-related charges stemming from the incident on April 25.
Allegedly, Allen dashed through a security checkpoint and shot at a Secret Service officer with a shotgun, causing panic at the upscale event. Following gunshots heard outside the Washington Hilton ballroom where the event was held, President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and other officials were quickly evacuated to safety.
Approximately 2,500 guests, mostly journalists, attending the dinner sought cover under tables as the gunshots echoed through the venue. In court, Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, remained silent as his attorney entered the not guilty pleas on his behalf.
During a prior hearing, it was revealed that the shots fired by the alleged gunman missed the Secret Service agent, who retaliated by firing five times. One agent was struck in his bulletproof vest by a round, possibly from a fellow agent. Upon arrest, the accused assailant was found in possession of knives and a handgun.
Allen, who holds a mechanical engineering degree from the esteemed California Institute of Technology in Pasadena as per his LinkedIn profile, could face a life sentence if convicted. This incident marks the third known attempt on President Trump’s life, following a previous shooting incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024 and an incident in September 2024 where an individual attempted to attack the president at a Florida golf course.
This website and its partners utilize data collected from cookies and other identifiers to enhance site experience, analyze usage patterns, and deliver personalized ads. Opt-out options are available by clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button on the site. By using our services, you consent to the use of cookies and agree to our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.