Sean JamesApr 27th, 2026, 2:22 pm

Cole Tomas Allen is facing life in prison after he was told he is facing three counts for his attempted shooting spree at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last weekend, including two federal gun crimes and one count for attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump.

The 31-year-old suspect donned a neon blue jumpsuit while making his first appearance inside federal court in Washington, D.C. on Monday.

New York Times court reporter Zach Montague reported from the courthouse:

Jocelyn Valentine, a federal prosecutor, told Magistrate Judge Sharbaugh that Mr. Allen came to Washington with a pump-action shotgun, a pistol and three knives, all with the intent of carrying out a political assassination.

The court has set a hearing for Thursday morning to determine whether Mr. Allen will be kept in detention. Mr. Allen did not enter a plea through his lawyer Tezira Abe.

Fox News correspondent David Spunt reported Allen is also facing a count of transporting a firearm across state lines, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; the third count is for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, which carries a mandatory 10 year sentence.

Spunt noted this was not an official arraignment but just an initial appearance for Allen. He also reported the California native has two public defense attorneys.

Trump administration officials including acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel are expected to share more details at a press conference at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Watch Spunt’s report above.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

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