Suspect in Washington Dinner Shooting Appears in Court

Photo Credit: Reuters

WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES – The man accused of opening fire at a Washington dinner attended by Donald Trump was charged on Monday with attempting to assassinate the U.S. President.

31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California could face a potential life sentence if convicted.

Allen wore a blue jail-issue v-neck shirt and pants at his first appearance in Washington federal court, two days after authorities said they foiled an attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

At the hearing, prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine sayS the weapons Allen brought to Washington included a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun and three knives.

He also faces charges of illegally transporting a firearm across state lines and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

Allen did not respond to the allegations at the brief hearing.