Suspect Pleads Not Guilty in White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting

Cole Thomas Allen, the individual charged in connection with the shooting during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, has entered a not guilty plea to all four federal charges against him.

The 31-year-old Allen faces serious allegations stemming from the events of April 25, including attempted assassination of the U.S. president, assault with a deadly weapon against a U.S. official or employee, along with two additional firearms-related offenses. If found guilty, he could potentially face life behind bars.

During his court appearance on Monday, Allen was seen in shackles while his defense attorney presented arguments on his behalf, according to reports.

Following the incident, President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and several other officials were evacuated from the ballroom of the Washington Hilton.

Footage showed Allen charging towards a security station before Secret Service agents apprehended him. Authorities found multiple weapons—including knives and guns—on his person.

Just prior to the attack, a manifesto that detailed plans targeting Trump administration officials was allegedly shared with Allen’s family, though FBI Director Kash Patel was notably excluded from the list.

This information surfaced in a detention memo submitted by the Department of Justice. Reports indicate that at the time of his arrest, Allen was armed with two firearms: a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun and a .38 caliber pistol.