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Man charged with attempted Trump assassination indicted for assaulting Secret Service officer

May 5, 2026

A California man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents Dinner in late April now faces a fourth criminal charge for assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon. Cole Tomas Allen, 31, allegedly brought multiple weapons including handguns, a shotgun, and knives when he rushed through a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton, leading to gunfire that wounded a Secret Service officer. The attack prompted immediate evacuation of Trump, Vice-President Vance, and other officials while attendees took cover, and has triggered a broader review of White House security protocols.

Who is affected

  • President Donald Trump (target of alleged assassination attempt)
  • Vice-President JD Vance (evacuated from scene)
  • A Secret Service officer (shot and wounded)
  • Cabinet members and White House officials (evacuated)
  • White House Correspondents Dinner attendees (sheltered during attack)
  • Cole Tomas Allen, 31 (defendant facing charges)
  • Allen's family (received threatening email)
  • Pasadena United Reformed Church congregation (Allen's place of worship)

What action is being taken

  • A White House security review is being conducted
  • Allen remains in custody
  • A grand jury has indicted Allen on multiple charges

Why it matters

  • This incident represents a significant breach of security at a high-profile event attended by the President, Vice-President, and numerous senior government officials, exposing vulnerabilities in protective measures. The shooting of a Secret Service officer and questions about whether the wound resulted from crossfire raise serious concerns about security protocols and response procedures. The attack's success in penetrating security checkpoints at such a closely guarded event has necessitated a comprehensive review of White House protection systems to prevent future threats.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC