Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, has been indicted on an additional charge of assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, federal authorities announced on Tuesday.
The new charge, part of a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Washington, alleges Allen fired a shotgun at a US Secret Service agent at a security checkpoint. The other three counts include attempted assassination, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, and illegal transportation of a firearm and ammunition across state lines.
On 25 April, Allen, a 31-year-old from California, allegedly sprinted past a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the annual press gala was taking place. Prosecutors claim he was running toward the ballroom with the intent to assassinate Trump and other senior officials.
Federal prosecutors stated that as Allen rushed the security perimeter, he fired a shotgun, hitting a Secret Service agent in the chest. The agent, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, was not seriously injured. Several other weapons were found in Allen's possession.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said, 'Today's indictment underscores a simple truth: there is evidence this defendant intended to assassinate the president, and that he shot a US Secret Service officer after he traversed the country with a cache of ammunition to accomplish his goals.' Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche added that Allen was stopped 'thanks to the courageous and immediate response from law enforcement.'
The initial charges against Allen did not include the shooting of the agent. Pirro released video footage last Thursday showing Allen charging the checkpoint, and she told CNN that a pellet from Allen's shotgun was found intertwined with fibres from the agent's vest.
