A California man accused of storming a gala dinner attended by President Donald Trump was to appear in court Monday over a shooting that marks the third attempt on the president’s life in two years.
Administration officials said the suspect, identified as Cole Thomas Allen, 31, was targeting Trump and several senior administration officials during the annual dinner held on Saturday night in Washington.
The suspect, from Torrance, a suburb southwest of Los Angeles, California, is to appear before a federal judge in Washington later Monday.
He is expected to be charged with two counts: possession of a firearm with intent to commit a violent crime and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said that “preliminary” information indicated the suspect “was targeting members of the administration.” Surveillance footage, posted by Trump on Truth Social, showed the suspect rushing through a security checkpoint at the entrance to the hall where the dinner was being held, as several security personnel drew their weapons.
Police reported that the shooter was carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives, and that he fired at a security officer, who was spared injury by his body armor.
Crowded into the ballroom were Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, several cabinet members and top lawmakers, and hundreds of guests in black tie. (AFP)
