WASHINGTON, D.C. APRIL 27, 2026 — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday that 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, has been charged with three federal counts in connection with the April 25, 2026, shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche detailed the charges filed in U.S. District Court:
- Count 1: Attempted assassination of the President of the United States (punishable by up to life in prison).
- Count 2: Interstate transportation of a firearm to commit a felony (punishable by up to 10 years in prison).
- Count 3: Discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence (mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, up to life, to run consecutively with any other sentence).
Additional charges are expected.
According to law enforcement officials, Allen rushed a security checkpoint near the Washington Hilton banquet hall armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives. He exchanged gunfire with officers before being arrested. President Trump, who was attending the event, was safely evacuated from the stage with no injuries reported. One Secret Service agent was reportedly struck but protected by a ballistic vest.
Investigators say Allen sent a manifesto to family members roughly 10 minutes before the attack. The writings expressed anti-Trump sentiments, criticized administration policies, and indicated his intent to target officials. He reportedly referred to himself as the “Friendly Federal Assassin” in related online posts. Allen was staying at the hotel as a guest and was taken to a local hospital for a knee injury sustained during the incident, though he was not shot by law enforcement.
Allen, a tutor, computer engineer, and amateur video game developer, holds a master’s degree in computer science from California State University-Dominguez Hills. Social media and professional profiles describe him as highly educated, with some acquaintances calling him a “borderline genius.”
He made his initial appearance in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Monday.
The incident marks the latest in a series of assassination attempts and threats against President Trump during his current term. The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, an annual gathering of journalists, politicians, and celebrities, was disrupted by the chaos as security rapidly responded.
The Justice Department emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing, with FBI and local authorities continuing to examine Allen’s background, movements, and any potential accomplices.
Life News Agency will provide updates as more details emerge from the court proceedings and federal investigation.
About The Author
