Correspondents’ dinner suspect faces new charge of assaulting federal officer
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- Cole Tomas Allen, suspected gunman at the White House correspondents’ dinner, faces an additional charge of assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon for allegedly shooting a Secret Service agent.
- The new four-count indictment includes attempted assassination, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, illegal transportation of firearms and ammunition, and the new assault charge.
- Allen allegedly ran past a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton hotel on April 25, aiming to assassinate Donald Trump and senior officials during the press gala.
- Prosecutors stated Allen fired a shotgun, hitting a Secret Service agent in the chest, though the agent was not seriously injured due to wearing a bulletproof vest.
- Authorities emphasized the seriousness of the attack and vowed to pursue maximum punishment, highlighting the defendant’s intent and the quick law enforcement response.
