WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors have filed an additional charge against a California resident who allegedly attempted to breach the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner while trying to harm former President Donald Trump.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, now faces a fourth criminal count after a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., added an assault charge involving a federal officer with a deadly weapon to his existing indictment on Tuesday.
Allen originally faced three charges in a criminal complaint: attempting to assassinate the president and two weapons-related offenses. The assassination attempt charge alone carries a potential life sentence if he’s found guilty.
The new assault charge indicates that investigators have concluded Allen was responsible for firing the shot that hit a Secret Service agent’s protective vest during the April 25 incident at the Washington Hilton. The attack disrupted and forced an early conclusion to one of Washington’s most prominent annual gatherings.
During the incident, Allen reportedly carried multiple firearms and knives while rushing past a security barrier and aiming his weapon at an officer, who responded by firing five shots without striking anyone, according to officials.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche had mentioned the previous week that investigators were examining additional ballistics evidence before reaching a final conclusion about who fired the shot that struck the officer.
Allen’s defense team has challenged the prosecution’s claims regarding their client’s intentions to harm the president or his role in shooting the officer.
“In sum,” they wrote, “the government’s entire argument about the nature and circumstances of the offense is based upon inferences drawn about Mr. Allen’s intent that raise more questions than answers.”
Allen sustained injuries during the incident but was not struck by gunfire. Following his arrest, he was initially placed under suicide watch, though correctional officials lifted that designation over the weekend. His legal representatives have criticized his detention conditions, citing unnecessary confinement in a padded cell with continuous lighting, frequent strip searches, and restraints when outside his cell.
