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The suspect accused in the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner shooting made an initial appearance in federal court Monday, marking the first time the alleged would-be assassin heard the charges filed against him by prosecutors.
Cole Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, is accused of storming the Washington Hilton while armed with multiple weapons, and attempting to penetrate the ballroom in which President Donald Trump sat amongst Cabinet officials and hundreds of journalists Saturday night.
Allen appeared in federal court Monday wearing a blue prison jumpsuit to face charges of attempting to assassinate the President of the United States, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence and transporting a firearm across state lines, according to the Department of Justice.
He has not yet entered a plea and will remain in custody.
WHO IS COLE ALLEN? CALIFORNIA MAN NAMED AS SUSPECT IN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER SHOOTING
Cole Allen lies face down on the floor as law enforcement officers detain him following an alleged shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2026. (@realDonaldTrump via Truth Social)
Monday’s court appearance is separate from Cole’s arraignment, with the judge scheduling a detention hearing for April 30 and a preliminary hearing for May 11.
Allen is accused of traveling by train from California to Washington, D.C., while making one stop in Chicago, and checking into the hotel just one day before the planned event.
Cole Allen is arraigned at the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Court House in Washington, D.C., on April 27, 2026. Media set up outside the courthouse as Allen faces charges related to the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner shooting. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
Shortly before the alleged shooting, authorities said Allen sent a written manifesto to members of his family, outlining his intent to target Trump and other Cabinet officials.
Within 30 minutes of the gala starting, Allen allegedly stormed the hotel lobby, equipped with a shotgun, handgun and knives, and breached security barricades that had been erected just one floor above the VIP-filled International Ballroom.
Security officials hunt for threat as shots fired at correspondents’ dinner. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
One Secret Service agent was struck by gunfire in a ballistic vest, and Allen was subsequently tackled by officers and taken into custody.
Allen was not injured, but was transported to a hospital to be evaluated. The Secret Service agent was also taken to receive medical treatment and is recovering.
President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House after an unspecified threat at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)
The chaos was heard from inside the packed ballroom, with the 2,300 attendees taking cover under their tables as Trump and Vice President JD Vance were whisked away by security.
Approximately one hour later, Trump announced that law enforcement had asked attendees to evacuate the building, which was consistent with protocol, adding the event would be rescheduled within 30 days.
After the shooting, Allen’s brother contacted the New London Police Department in Connecticut to report receiving his brother’s alleged manifesto.
The police said in a statement they were contacted at 10:49 p.m. by someone who wanted to share information related to it, and the department said it then immediately alerted federal law enforcement, the Associated Press reported.
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Allen faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted on the attempted assassination charge, with the two firearms charges carrying a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison.
Fox News Digital reached out to Allen’s defense team and federal prosecutors for comment.
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