Prosecutors: White House Dinner Shooting Suspect Aimed for Mass Casualties

Federal prosecutors say the suspect accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday was prepared to cause mass casualties and came dangerously close to destabilizing the federal government. In court filings released Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office argued that Cole Tomas Allen, 31, traveled across the country with premeditated intent to assassinate President Donald Trump.

"Had the defendant achieved his intended outcome, he would have brought about one of the darkest days in American history," prosecutors wrote in a detention memorandum filed in federal court. "Had the defendant successfully made it into the ballroom, he not only could have killed or injured dozens of people, but he could have destabilized the entire federal government, given the number of high-ranking government officials present."

Allen faces three federal charges: attempting to assassinate the president, interstate transportation of a firearm with intent to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. He could face life imprisonment if convicted.

The shooting occurred at approximately 8:40 p.m. on April 25 when Allen approached a security checkpoint outside the Washington Hilton ballroom. According to court documents, he carried a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun with ammunition strapped to his body and a fully loaded .38-caliber pistol. A Secret Service officer wearing a ballistic vest was struck in the chest but was protected by the vest and expected to recover.

Prosecutors revealed new details about Allen's preparation for the attack. Court documents show Allen photographed himself in a hotel room moments before the shooting, fully armed and dressed in black with ammunition strapped to his body. Just before 8:40 p.m., he sent a scheduled email to family members and a former employer outlining his intentions.

In his writings, Allen identified himself as a "friendly federal assassin" and railed against Trump administration policies. The manifesto referenced grievances over immigration detention practices, U.S. military strikes abroad, and other matters. Allen did not name Trump directly but wrote that he was "no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes."

Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, worked as a part-time teacher and had degrees in mechanical engineering and computer science. He traveled by train from Los Angeles through Chicago to Washington, arriving April 24 and checking into the Washington Hilton as a guest. A detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday.