Washington: Alleged Washington hotel shooter Cole Tomas Allen faces a maximum sentence of life in prison after he was charged with attempting to assassinate the president of the United States.
Allen appeared in court for the first time on Monday afternoon US time (Tuesday morning AEST) wearing a short-sleeve light blue prison uniform.
He appeared calm and answered the judge’s questions as he was read his legal rights.
Allen was also charged with transporting a firearm across state lines with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence. Those offences carry potential 10-year sentences.
Allen will remain in police custody until at least Thursday, when he will appear before a bail hearing.
Both parties also agreed to a preliminary case hearing on May 11.
Federal prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine said the government alleged that Allen “attempted to assassinate the president of the United States with a 12-gauge pump action shotgun”.
He was also allegedly found with a handgun and three knives, prosecutors told the court.
Allen’s court-appointed lawyers noted he had no prior convictions and was presumed innocent until proven guilty.
US district attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, was seated in the courtroom’s front row for the 10-minute hearing.
More to come
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Michael Koziol is the North America correspondent for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Sydney editor, Sun-Herald deputy editor and a federal political reporter in Canberra.Connect via X or email.
