Washington Desk & Federal Courts
New Count in Dinner Shooting Case Concerns April Incident, Not a New Attack
Prosecutors announce an added D.C. terrorism count in the pending case. An indictment is an accusation, not a conviction.
A new filing in an older case
The U.S. attorney’s office for the District of Columbia announced Friday that a five-count superseding indictment had been unsealed against Cole Tomas Allen, 31. The case concerns the April 25 shooting at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. The November filing date does not mean another shooting occurred this week.
What prosecutors added
The office says the indictment adds an armed act-of-terrorism count under the D.C. criminal code, related to alleged attempted first-degree murder of the president. Earlier charges include attempted assassination, assault on a federal officer and firearm offenses. Prosecutors identify the pending matter as case 26cr98.
No verdict in the announcement
The release describes the government’s account of the checkpoint incident and investigation. Those allegations remain subject to the criminal process and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The statement announces neither a conviction nor a sentence. The potential maximum penalty described by prosecutors is not a punishment already imposed. Readers should distinguish the new legal count from proof of the alleged conduct.
Primary evidence
Reporting note: This independently composed article is based on the linked primary records. Publication and event dates are stated separately. Agency claims are identified as such; an allegation, charge or scheduled event is not presented as a finding, conviction or completed event. Readers should consult the official record for amendments and later action.