The other two charges involve use of a firearm in a violent crime and assault on a federal agent with a dangerous weapon.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, appeared for his initial hearing today in the Federal Court of Washington DC and was formally indicted on three federal chargesincluding attempted assassination of President Donald Trump.
Wearing a blue prison jumpsuit, Allen heard the charges during a brief hearing before the judge.
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine said in court: “He tried to assassinate the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.”
The other two charges involve using a firearm in a violent crime and assaulting a federal agent with a dangerous weapon.
According to the Justice Department, Allen left a manifesto with family members in which he calls himself “Friendly Federal Assassin” and expresses anger toward members of the Trump administration. Authorities believe he planned to attack senior officials present at the event, including “probably” the president himself.
The incident occurred on Saturday night (25), in Washington Hilton hotel, during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner. Allen, armed with a shotgun, pistol and several knives, tried to break into a security point, exchanged fire with the Secret Service (wounding an agent wearing a bulletproof vest) and was quickly contained.
Trump and the first lady were safely removed from the ballroom. There were no other injuries.
Allen traveled by train from Los Angeles to Washington and was staying at the same hotel as the event. He worked as a teacher, tutor and video game developer. He had no criminal record nor was he on the authorities’ radar.
The judge ordered Allen to remain in federal custody for now.
A detention hearing (to decide whether he will be held in pretrial detention until trial) has been scheduled for Thursday, April 30.
The case remains under investigation, with the possibility of new charges. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Federal Attorney Jeanine Pirro are monitoring the case.
The episode reignited debates about security at events with high-ranking authorities and the level of political polarization in the USA.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
