New Terrorism Charge In Correspondents’ Dinner Case

WASHINGTON — Cole Tomas Allen faces a new terrorism charge stemming from the April shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

A five-count superseding indictment was unsealed Friday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced.

Allen, 31, faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, according to the department. The new count alleges an act of terrorism while armed under District of Columbia law.

The indictment alleges Allen attempted to kill President Donald Trump to influence government policy through intimidation and coercion.

It also alleges he intended to intimidate and coerce a significant portion of the civilian population.

Filed Thursday in U.S. District Court, the indictment retains four earlier charges, including attempting to assassinate the president.

Other counts allege assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, transporting firearms for a felony and discharging a firearm.

According to the department, Allen rushed through a Secret Service screening checkpoint at the Washington Hilton shortly after 8:30 p.m. April 25.

He allegedly ran toward stairs leading to the ballroom where Trump was attending the dinner.

Prosecutors allege Allen fired a shotgun, striking a Secret Service officer in the chest. The officer returned fire five times before authorities restrained Allen, the department said.

Allen was not shot but suffered a minor knee injury, according to the department.

The indictment alleges he transported a shotgun, pistol and approximately 100 rounds of ammunition from California to Washington.

That alleged transportation occurred between April 21 and April 25.

The charges are allegations. Allen is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.