A California man has been charged with attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump in an incident that has prompted a security review at the White House.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was also charged with two firearms-related offences when he appeared in court in Washington, D.C. on Monday. He did not enter a plea.
Prosecutors said the suspect was carrying a semi-automatic handgun, a pump-action shotgun, and three knives when he rushed past a security checkpoint during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday.
A Secret Service agent was struck during the incident but was not seriously injured. If convicted, the accused could face life imprisonment.
Wearing a blue jumpsuit and a name tag, Allen reportedly appeared calm during the court hearing. He answered most of the judge’s questions quietly with “yes, your honour” or “no, your honour.”
During the proceedings, he stated his age and said he holds a master’s degree.
