Overview
- Cole Tomas Allen, 31, appeared in federal court Thursday and conceded pretrial detention, with a preliminary hearing set for May 11.
- Allen faces three federal counts, including attempting to assassinate the president, transporting a firearm across state lines with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, which together could carry a life sentence.
- Prosecutors say Allen planned the attack for weeks, traveled by train from California with a 12‑gauge shotgun, a .38‑caliber pistol and knives, tracked President Trump’s movements online, and took a hotel-room selfie minutes before he moved toward the event.
- Surveillance images published this week show Secret Service agents firing as Allen rushed a checkpoint outside the Washington Hilton ballroom, and investigators say a spent shotgun shell was found in his weapon after Saturday’s shooting.
- Officials say a Secret Service agent was struck in a ballistic vest, while defense lawyers dispute whether Allen fired the shot and prosecutors await full ballistics; U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro says the agent did not shoot himself.