The man accused in the shooting at a media gala attended by Donald Trump this weekend was arraigned in court Monday on charges of trying to assassinate the president and two firearms crimes.
Cole Allen, 31, faces a sentence of up to life in prison if convicted of attempting to kill Trump during the incident on Saturday at the White House Correspondents Association dinner in Washington. Allen did not enter a plea at the hearing in a federal court in the US capital. He was held pending his next court appearance.
Prosecutors told the court that Allen was carrying a pump-action shotgun, a semi-automatic pistol and three knives when he tried to break through security at the Hilton hotel, where the annual WHCA dinner has taken place for decades. Several shots were fired before he was subdued in a chaotic encounter near a checkpoint. Trump was rushed out of the venue by Secret Service agents after the sound of gunshots erupted.
Crowded into the venue were Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, several cabinet members and top lawmakers, and hundreds of guests. Administration officials say the California man’s attack was the third attempt on 79-year-old Trump’s life in two years. (AFP)
