Cole Tomas Allen indictment adds assault charge after alleged Secret Service shooting at WHCA dinner

Federal prosecutors in Washington, DC, have added a new charge against Cole Tomas Allen. Allen is accused of trying to break into the White House Correspondents Association dinner. Authorities also allege Allen attempted to kill President Donald Trump. The latest charge follows claims Allen fired a shotgun at a Secret Service officer.

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A federal grand jury indicted Allen on Tuesday. The indictment keeps three earlier counts from the complaint. Those counts include attempted assassination of the president and two firearms charges. It also adds a count of assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon. Allen could face life in prison on the attempted assassination count alone.

Secret Service officer shooting at White House Correspondents Association dinner

The case centres on an April 25 attack at the Washington Hilton. The incident disrupted the White House Correspondents Association dinner. The event ended early after the security breach, authorities said. During the confrontation, a Secret Service officer was shot once. The bullet struck a bullet-resistant vest.

Authorities said Allen ran through a security checkpoint carrying guns and knives. Investigators said Allen pointed a weapon at the officer. The officer then fired five shots and did not hit anyone. Prosecutors now say Allen fired the shot that hit the officer’s vest. The new assault charge reflected that view.

Assault charge and ballistics review in White House Correspondents Association dinner case

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke about the evidence last week. Todd Blanche said investigators wanted to examine more ballistics information. That review was needed before deciding who fired the shot. The added charge signals prosecutors now blame Allen for the strike. The indictment was returned in Washington, DC.

Allen’s lawyers disputed key parts of the government’s account. The lawyers questioned whether Allen meant to kill the president. The lawyers also challenged claims Allen fired the round that hit the officer. "In sum, they wrote, the governments entire argument about the nature and circumstances of the offense is based upon inferences drawn about Mr. Allens intent that raise more questions than answers.\"

Allen, 31, is from Torrance, California. Allen was injured during the April 25 incident, but was not shot. After the arrest, Allen was placed on suicide watch. Jail officials removed Allen from that status over the weekend. Lawyers objected to conditions during that period.

Allen’s attorneys said Allen faced harsh restrictions in custody. The lawyers said Allen was kept in a padded room. The room had constant lighting, the lawyers said. They also said Allen was repeatedly strip searched. The lawyers added that Allen was placed in restraints outside the cell. The case remains pending in federal court.

With inputs from PTI