The suspected shooter from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, is set to stay in custody as he awaits trial. During a federal court session on Thursday, his defense team informed U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya that they wouldn’t contest the government’s request to keep him detained. However, Allen’s public defender, Tezira Abe, noted that they might revisit the situation later if conditions change.
Currently, Allen is being held in a facility in Washington, D.C., facing serious charges including the attempted assassination of the president, stemming from a shooting incident that took place during the dinner five days prior.
This choice by the defense means Allen will remain in custody for now while both sides begin the discovery phase of this high-profile case.
Last Saturday, Allen, who works part-time as a teacher, reportedly charged into a security checkpoint and shot a U.S. Secret Service officer during the high-profile event attended by President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and various administration officials.
Federal prosecutors have categorized the shooting as an act of political violence, citing a manifesto he allegedly sent to family just ten minutes before the attack. In this message, acquired by the New York Post, Allen expressed apologies to his family and anyone he may have endangered.
“I am a citizen of the United States of America. What my representatives do reflects on me,” he explained his motivations for the attack. “And I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.” He further detailed that while administration officials were his primary targets, others could be affected if necessary.
In court documents, prosecutors urged the judge to keep Allen detained, emphasizing the potential devastation his actions could have caused, which might have destabilized the federal government and led to numerous casualties among guests and staff.
On the other hand, the defense campaigned for his release, highlighting his clean record and the claim that he left much of his shotgun ammunition back at his hotel room, suggesting he might not have had a clear intent to harm. They pointed out that the manifesto did not name President Trump specifically, which they argued indicated a lack of focused intent.
After a consultation with Allen, his legal representatives also requested that the court intervene to end his 24-hour solitary confinement, which the judge declined, citing a lack of authority over jail operations.
Additionally, the government presented a selfie Allen allegedly took about half an hour prior to the incident, showing him dressed in a black shirt and red tie, with a handgun holstered, and other potential weapons at the ready.
Allen faces multiple charges, including attempted assassination of the president and discharging a weapon during a violent crime. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, who was also present at the dinner, indicated that more charges might be added as the case progresses. His preliminary hearing is slated for May 11.
