Trial date set for White House correspondents' dinner shooting suspect

A trial date has been set for Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused of an attack at the White House Correspondence dinner in April. 

Timeline:

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, set a trial date for next year with jury selection to begin on Sept. 7 in Washington, D.C. Prosecutors expect the trial could last up to four weeks. 

The backstory:

Allen is accused of breaching security at the White House Correspondence Dinner back on April 25, 2026. Prosecutors say Allen, armed with guns and knives, arrived at the Washington Hilton hotel and fired a shotgun at a Secret Service officer who attempted to stop him. 

The event, which was just in the beginning stages, came to an immediate halt while authorities attempted to apprehend the shooter.

Dig deeper:

In May, Allen was indicted on charges of Attempt to Assassinate the President of the United States, Assaulting an Officer or Employee of the United States with a Deadly Weapon, with Transportation of a Firearm and Ammunition in Interstate Commerce with the Intent to Commit a Felony, and with Discharging a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.   

 He is facing a maximum possible sentence of life in prison if convicted. 

The Source: This story was written with information provided by The Associated Press. This story was reported from Orlando.