Washington press dinner shooting suspect pleads not guilty
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- A man named Allen has pleaded not guilty to charges related to an attack at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington DC last month, including using a firearm during a crime of violence and interstate firearm transportation with intent to commit a felony.
- Prosecutors allege Allen tried to bypass a security checkpoint and fired at a US Secret Service agent, who was injured but protected by a bullet-proof vest, during the event held at the Washington Hilton hotel.
- Allen was apprehended near a staircase leading to the ballroom where the dinner, attended by journalists, former President Trump, and top US officials, was underway.
- This was Allen's first court appearance before US District Judge Trevor McFadden, who will oversee the case moving forward.
- Allen's lawyers have requested the disqualification of US Attorney Jeanine Pirro and Todd Blanche from the case, citing concerns over their public statements portraying themselves as victims of the attack.