WASHINGTON (7News) — The man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner is expected to make his first court appearance Monday in D.C. federal court, where he will be arraigned on preliminary federal charges.
Authorities said 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen, a teacher from Torrance, California, faces two initial charges: using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
Photo of one of the weapons the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen had on him that was obtained by CNN. (Obtained by CNN)
The charges were announced during a Saturday night press conference by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who later confirmed on X that Allen would be formally charged and arraigned Monday.
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“It is clear that this individual was intent on doing as much harm as he could. Thank God for our law enforcement who acted so quickly to prevent what could have been a horrific event,” Pirro added.
Officials allege Allen charged toward the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night at the Washington Hilton, firing as he ran toward the ballroom area. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other members of the president’s cabinet were inside at the time.
According to the United States Secret Service, the incident occurred near the main magnetometer screening area at the event.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) interim chief Jeffery Carroll said Allen was a guest at the Washington Hilton, adding that he was armed with a “shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.”
A motive has not been officially confirmed, but investigators are reviewing writings described as a manifesto that allegedly outlined plans to target Trump officials. Authorities said the documents criticized Trump administration policies and included references to the suspect as a “Friendly Federal Assassin.”
Suspect Cole Tomas Allen is seen after being apprehended after a shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, 2026 (Trump’s Truth Social)
Officials said the writings were sent to family members just minutes before the attack.
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President Trump addressed the case Sunday, calling Allen a “sick guy” and describing him as deeply troubled.
“When you read his manifesto, he hates Christians. That’s one thing for sure. He hates Christians, a hatred. And I think his sister or his brother actually was complaining about it. You know, they were even complaining to law enforcement. So he was, he was a very troubled guy,” Trump said.
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The White House also said Allen had ties to a group called “The Wide Awakes” and had attended a “No Kings” protest in California at some point.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner marked Trump’s first time attending the event as a sitting president.
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