SERIOUS CHARGES

Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting Suspect Makes First Court Appearance

Cole Allen faces life in prison if convicted.

The 31-year-old man accused of storming the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with the goal of assassinating President Donald Trump made his first court appearance in Washington, D.C. on Monday. Prosecutors charged Cole Allen with attempted assassination of the president, transportation of a firearm across state lines to commit a felony, and discharging a gun. If convicted of these counts, the Caltech graduate could face life in prison. Surveillance video from Saturday night shows Allen charging through the security checkpoint at the annual dinner attended by key figures from the Trump administration and prominent journalists. Allen allegedly shot an officer, who was uninjured thanks to a bulletproof vest. Law enforcement then tackled and subdued the suspected attacker. In all, authorities say Allen brought a shotgun, a semi-automatic pistol, and three knives to the Washington Hilton hotel, where the event was taking place. Police found a manifesto detailing his anti-Trump motivations and criticizing the lack of security at the Hilton. In court on Monday, the New York Post reported that Allen spoke loudly and with confidence, telling the judge his name and that he had a master’s degree.