Washington dinner shooting suspect pleads not guilty

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was charged with attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump.

The man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump and members of his administration at the White House correspondents' dinner has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Cole Allen allegedly ran through a security checkpoint and fired a shotgun at a Secret Service officer at the high-profile event on 25 April. He was charged with the attempted assassination of the president, assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, and two other firearms counts. Mr. Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and senior officials were quickly evacuated after gunshots were heard outside the Washington Hilton ballroom, where around 2,500 people were in attendance.

The man accused of opening fire at a Washington dinner attended by Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges. California man Cole Allen, 31, did not speak in court as his attorney entered the plea on his behalf. The charges include attempted assassination of the president, assault on a federal officer, and firearms offenses. Prosecutors allege Mr. Allen fired a shotgun at a US Secret Service agent and stormed a security checkpoint in a foiled attack on Mr. Trump and other members of his administration at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in April. Mr. Allen allegedly travelled to Washington by train, carrying a shotgun, pistol, and knives, and booked a room in the Washington Hilton where the April 25 dinner took place. Mr. Allen wore an orange jumpsuit at the court appearance and was shackled at the waist during the brief proceeding.