A man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at a high-profile Washington event has agreed to remain in custody as prosecutors continue building their case.
The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen, did not contest arguments in court on Thursday that he poses a danger to the public, according to his attorney.
Alleged Attack at High-Security Gala
Authorities say Allen allegedly opened fire near a security checkpoint outside a major political gala held in Washington, D.C., an event attended by thousands of journalists, officials, and guests.
The incident is said to have taken place near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, hosted at the Washington Hilton hotel.
Prosecutors claim Allen carefully planned the attack, traveling cross-country from California to Washington while armed with multiple weapons.
Serious Charges Filed
Allen now faces multiple federal charges, including:
- Attempted assassination
- Discharging a firearm during a violent crime
- Illegal transport of weapons across state lines
Authorities allege he intended to target Trump and other senior government officials.
Secret Service Involvement
Court documents indicate that a U.S. Secret Service agent heard a loud gunshot during the incident, and a spent shell casing was recovered from the scene.
Officials previously stated that a protective vest may have prevented serious injury.
However, prosecutors have not formally confirmed that any agent was struck by gunfire in court filings.
Evidence Presented by Prosecutors
Investigators also cite an alleged email sent by Allen to relatives, in which he reportedly referred to Trump as a “traitor” and “criminal,” though the former president was not named directly.
Prosecutors argue the message suggests intent to target government officials across multiple levels.
Defense Challenges Case
Allen’s legal team has pushed back on several aspects of the prosecution’s claims, pointing to inconsistencies and questioning key details of the incident.
They also noted that Allen has no prior criminal record and was active in his church community.
Investigation Ongoing
The case remains in early stages, with Allen yet to enter a plea.
Federal authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the incident, which has raised renewed concerns about political security and public safety at high-profile government events.
