Suspect in alleged attempt to assassinate Trump pleads not guilty

A California man accused of attempting to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner pleaded not guilty Monday to all charges against him, reported Xinhua, quoting CNN.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was arraigned Monday in a federal court in Washington, D.C., the report said.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia said Allen was indicted on May 5 in connection with the April 25 shooting during the annual press dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel. Trump was present at the event, the office said.

The indictment charges Allen with attempting to assassinate the president of the United States, assaulting an officer or employee of the United States with a deadly weapon, transporting a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, according to the office.

According to the Justice Department, shortly after 8:30 p.m. local time (0330 GMT) on April 25, Allen allegedly approached a U.S. Secret Service security screening checkpoint, sprinted through a magnetometer and ran toward stairs leading to the ballroom where the president was located.

Prosecutors alleged that Allen fired a pump-action shotgun, hitting a Secret Service officer once in the chest, before being restrained by law enforcement and placed under arrest.

According to the Justice Department, Allen was also carrying a pistol, dozens of rounds of ammunition, knives, daggers and other items at the time of his arrest.