Cole Allen, the man accused of trying to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, allegedly bought the firearms used in the attack in 2023 and 2025. He traveled from the West Coast to Washington by train, according to recently revealed court documents. The court filings, consisting of a criminal complaint charging Allen with three offenses and a seven-page affidavit by an FBI agent, were unsealed Monday after Allen appeared in federal court for an initial hearing. He faces charges of discharging a firearm during a violent crime, transporting a firearm across state lines with intent to commit a felony, and attempting to assassinate the president.
According to the affidavit, Allen booked a three-night stay at the Washington Hilton on April 6, where the press gala took place. Prosecutors believe Allen was aware that President Trump would be at the event, as the President had confirmed his attendance in a post on Truth Social. On April 21, Allen boarded a train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then traveled to Washington, D.C. He arrived on Friday and checked into the Hilton.
The affidavit claims that around 8:40 p.m., Allen tried to enter the event venue with a long gun, and a shot was fired. A Secret Service officer was shot once in the chest but was wearing a ballistic vest. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that law enforcement fired five shots but did not confirm if it was Allen’s shot that injured the Secret Service officer.
Shortly before the incident, Allen reportedly sent a manifesto to his family and former employer, explaining his actions. He was found with a shotgun and a pistol and signed the email with the name “Cole ‘coldForce’ ‘Friendly Federal Assassin’ Allen.” The investigation revealed additional writings at Allen’s home in California and in his hotel room at the Washington Hilton. No details on those messages were included in the court document.
President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other officials were evacuated from the event venue in response to the attack. They were unharmed, and the injured Secret Service officer has been discharged from the hospital.
Context: – The article discusses the attempted assassination of President Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner by Cole Allen, who purchased firearms and traveled to the event with intent to harm.
Fact Check: – President Trump, Vice President Vance, and other officials were unharmed in the attack.
