The man accused of storming the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner and attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump took a photo of himself minutes before the attack that showed him holding an ammunition pouch, a shoulder holster and a sheathed knife, according to new court documents filed by prosecutors.The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Allen of California, is accused of trying to breach security at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, where President Trump was attending an annual media gala with hundreds of reporters and officials.Authorities said Allen was wearing black pants, a black shirt and a red tie when the photo was taken in a hotel room at the same location. He checked into the Washington Hilton a day earlier after taking a train across the country from California, and reportedly booked the room weeks in advance, according to the Associated Press.Prosecutors said Allen repeatedly monitored online updates to track the president’s whereabouts the night of the event, including live coverage of Trump’s arrival at the hotel. Investigators also found evidence of canned emails titled “Apology and explanation”, which were reportedly scheduled to be sent around 8.30pm.“He intended to kill and fired his weapon while attempting to breach security and attack his target,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Jones wrote in the filing. “In short, the defendant posed an unusually serious danger to the community if released pending trial.”Authorities said Allen tried to force his way through a security barricade near the ballroom’s entrance, sparking a firefight with Secret Service agents assigned to protect the event. A Secret Service agent wearing a bulletproof vest was shot but survived.President Trump was not injured but was removed from the venue by security personnel. Guests inside the ballroom were forced into hiding when the shooting occurred, and the event was later cancelled.Court documents also indicate that Allen booked a room at the Washington Hilton hotel on April 6 before the event, suggesting the attack may have been planned over a period of weeks.Prosecutors further said Allen sent a message to family members shortly before the incident in which he described himself as a “friendly federal assassin” and mentioned grievances related to the Trump administration. Allen was arrested after being subdued by security forces and appeared in court on Monday formally charged with attempting to assassinate the president, transporting firearms and ammunition across state lines and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. He did not enter a plea.His attorney noted that he has no criminal record and is presumed innocent. However, prosecutors argued that he should remain in custody due to the seriousness of the alleged attack.Trump later described the suspect as a “lone wolf” and a “very troublesome” person, adding that such incidents often occur when public figures are highly visible.
