Kamal Ghorui
The man accused of trying to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner and attempt to kill US President Donald Trump had taken a photograph of himself minutes before the attack, showing him armed with an ammunition bag, a shoulder gun holster and a sheathed knife, according to new court filings submitted by prosecutors.The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen from California, is accused of attempting to breach security at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, where the annual media gala was underway and President Trump was present with hundreds of journalists and officials.Authorities said Allen wore black pants, a black shirt and a red tie when he took the image in his hotel room at the same venue. He had checked into the Washington Hilton a day earlier after travelling by train across the country from California and had reportedly reserved his room weeks in advance, according to Associated Press.Prosecutors said Allen repeatedly monitored online updates tracking the President’s movements on the night of the event, including live coverage of Trump arriving at the hotel. Investigators also found evidence of pre-set emails titled ‘Apology and Explanation’, which were reportedly scheduled to be sent around 8.30 pm.“He intended to kill and fired his shotgun while trying to breach security and attack his target. Put simply, the defendant poses an uncommonly serious danger to the community if released pending trial,” Assistant US Attorney Charles Jones wrote in the filing.Authorities allege Allen attempted to force his way past security barricades near the ballroom entrance, triggering an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service agents assigned to protect the event. A Secret Service officer wearing a bullet-resistant vest was struck but survived.President Trump was uninjured but was rushed out of the venue by security personnel. Guests inside the ballroom were forced to take cover as shots were fired and the event was later cancelled.Court documents also state that Allen had reserved a room at the Washington Hilton on April 6 before the event, suggesting the attack may have been planned over several weeks.Prosecutors further said that Allen sent a message to family members shortly before the incident in which he described himself as a ‘Friendly Federal Assassin’ and made references to grievances linked to the Trump administration. Allen was arrested after being subdued by security forces and appeared in court on Monday, where he was formally charged with attempted assassination of the President, as well as transporting firearms and ammunition across state lines and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. He did not enter a plea.His legal counsel observed that he has no prior criminal record and is presumed innocent. However, prosecutors argued that he should remain in custody due to the severity of the alleged attack.Trump later described the suspect as a ‘lone wolf’ and a ‘very troubled’ individual, adding that such incidents often occur when public figures are highly visible.
