Cole Allen indicted by grand jury on four charges related to alleged Trump assassination attempt

Cole Allen indicted by grand jury on four charges related to alleged Trump assassination attempt

Allen now faces a fourth charge that was previously unannounced

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Federal judge apologizes to accused WHCA Dinner shooter for prison treatment, draws criticism

Federal Judge Zia Faruqui apologizes to the accused WHCA shooter for his treatment in prison. Critics highlight Faruqui's history of anti-Trump bias and past remarks calling the DOJ's actions 'embarrassing' for the government.

The man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on April 25 has officially been indicted by a grand jury, including on a new charge tied to the shooting.

The indictment was presented by the grand jury to Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui.

Allen was indicted on four charges, three of which were announced on April 27, according to the indictment.

President Donald Trump posted a photo on social media showing law enforcement detaining Cole Thomas Allen following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2026. (US President Trump via Truth Social/Anadolu/Getty Images)

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The first three charges were attempting to assassinate the President of the United States, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence and transporting a firearm across state lines.

The fourth charge, included in Tuesday's indictment, is assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, the indictment says.

Allen is due back in court on May 11.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) says Allen descended from his 10th floor room at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner was being held, and attempted to charge through a security checkpoint towards a ballroom where Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and high-level cabinet members were seated.

A May 4, 2026, sketch of Cole Allen in front of Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui, with attorneys present, during an emergency hearing on prison conditions. (Dana Verkouteren )

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According to the DOJ, he fired one shot from a 12-gauge shotgun before falling to the ground and being apprehended. A small fragment of the buckshot round struck a Secret Service agent's vest, and he was briefly taken to the hospital for minor injuries. A Secret Service agent fired five shots at Allen, but did not strike him.

Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, is accused of traveling by train from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. over a period of three days, changing trains in Chicago.

Minutes before the attack, a pre-scheduled email from Allen was sent to his family and friends, explaining his actions, according to authorities.

Cole Allen seen in a hotel room before the alleged Trump assassination attempt during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. (Justice Department)

He allegedly acknowledged that his mission would likely severely harm him at the least, but never stated that he was willing to die for his cause. His motivations were political, and he painted himself as a savior of the oppressed.

Allen apologized profusely to family, friends and everyone he had come in contact with on his cross-country trek. He noted that there were certain people he hoped wouldn't be caught in the crossfire, and described himself as "friendly."

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Peter D'Abrosca is a reporter at Fox News Digital covering crime and campus extremism in higher education.

Follow Peter on X at @pmd_reports. Send story tips to peter.dabrosca@fox.com.

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