Alleged Trump Dinner Shooter Now Faces Terrorism Charge

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was charged in a five-count superseding indictment, unsealed November 13, 2026, with a terrorism offense in connection with the April 25, 2026, shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, prosecutors announced.

Read the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/new-terrorism-charge-filed-against-alleged-shooter-white-house-correspondents

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, according to the release.

Allen was previously charged with attempting to assassinate the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, officials reported.

An indictment is an allegation, and Allen is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Superseding Indictment, Terrorism Count, and Life Exposure

The superseding indictment adds one count of act of terrorism while armed, for the attempted first-degree murder of the President of the United States, in violation of the D.C. criminal code, according to the release.

Allen was also previously charged with assaulting an officer or employee of the United States with a deadly weapon, transporting a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with the intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, officials reported.

The maximum penalty Allen faces is life imprisonment, according to the release.

The case number is 26cr98, officials reported.

Terrace Checkpoint, Shotgun Fire, and an Officer Hit in the Chest

The 2026 dinner took place on April 25, 2026, at the Washington Hilton, and President Trump was present, according to the release.

Shortly after 8:30 p.m., Allen approached a U.S. Secret Service security screening checkpoint on the Terrace Level of the hotel, sprinted through one of the magnetometers, and ran in the direction of the stairs leading to the ballroom where President Trump was located, officials reported.

As he did so, he fired a Mossberg Maverick 88 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, hitting a Secret Service officer once in the chest, according to the release.

The officer drew his service weapon and fired five times at Allen, officials reported.

Allen fell to the ground, was restrained by law enforcement, and was placed under arrest, according to the release.

He suffered a minor injury to his knee but was not shot, officials reported.

Shotgun, Pistol, and Knives Recovered at Arrest

At the time of his arrest, Allen was in possession of the Mossberg shotgun with one spent cartridge in the barrel, according to the release.

He also possessed a Rock Island Armory 1911 .38 caliber pistol, dozens of rounds of unspent 12-gauge shotgun ammunition and .38 caliber ammunition, two knives, four daggers, multiple sheaths, multiple holsters, needle nose pliers, and wire cutters, officials reported.

FBI

Investigation, National Security Prosecution, and What Happens Next

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI Washington Field Office, according to the release.

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Ballantine, Charles R. Jones, and Adam P. Barry of the National Security Section for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, officials reported.

The case will proceed in U.S. District Court on the superseding indictment, according to the release.

Anyone with information about threats to public officials or related crimes can contact the FBI or their local law enforcement agency, and official updates on this case are published by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

Sources

U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, Official Press Release, November 13, 2026: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/new-terrorism-charge-filed-against-alleged-shooter-white-house-correspondents