©picture alliance / Captital Pictures | RW/MPI
The 31-year-old Cole Allen who tried to storm President Donald Trump's media gala at the Washington Hilton last month armed, denies any intent to assassinate the US president. He also dismisses the three other charges of firearm possession and use.
The defendant did not speak in person during a hearing in a Washington court on Monday. His lawyer pleaded not guilty to all charges on his behalf. Prosecutors laid four charges two weeks ago: murder plot against Trump, armed assault on an officer, firearm use in a violent crime and illegal transportation of firearms.
The 31-year-old game developer from Torrance, California, was able to be overpowered and arrested after he tried to breach the security post at the Correspondents' Dinner armed. Officers intercepted him after a gunfight, during which a police officer caught a bullet with his bulletproof vest. The suspect was carrying a shotgun, three knives and other weaponry during the attack, reported federal prosecutors.
A few days after the incident, it became known that Allen had sent a self-written manifesto to family members 10 minutes before the stampede. In it, he announced assassinations of Trump ministers and called himself the "Friendly Federal Assassin."
Present at the media gala, in addition to President Trump, were his wife Melania, as well as cabinet members, top officials and journalists. When the incident began, security personnel escorted them smoothly away from the room. No one was injured in the process.
©picture alliance / Captital Pictures | RW/MPI