Alleged correspondents' dinner shooter charged with assaulting federal officer

Cole Allen, accused of attacking at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, is now confronted with charges of attacking a federal officer.

Allen was formally charged Tuesday by a federal grand jury on four counts, including three from the criminal complaint filed last week—attempting to assassinate President Trump and two weapon-related charges—and a new charge of assaulting a federal law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon.

Federal prosecutors charged Allen shortly after the attempted assault at the annual press event in Washington, D.C.

However, they hadn't brought the charges before a grand jury to get an indictment until Tuesday.

Prosecutors state that on April 25, Allen—armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and knives—tried to breach a security barrier one floor above the ballroom at the Washington Hilton, where Mr. Trump, leading administration officials, and journalists were gathered.

The indictment further accuses Allen of attacking a federal officer named V.G. with a shotgun.

Law enforcement alleges that Allen shot at a uniformed Secret Service agent, striking his protective vest with buckshot. The officer was not seriously injured.

Allen, aged 31, has yet to enter a plea and has a court appearance scheduled for May 11.

Allen's defense team agreed to keep him detained while pre-trial procedures continue.

His case will be overseen by US District Judge Trevor McFadden, appointed by Mr. Trump in 2017.

On Monday, a federal magistrate judge in D.C. expressed concern about Allen's conditions in the jail where he is held, stating he was "very disturbed" by his treatment.

Magistrate Zia Faruqui apologized to the suspect for the difficulties encountered during his first week in custody.

Allen's attorneys claim he was put on suicide watch soon after being jailed last week, meaning he was kept in a padded cell with continuous lighting and no access to phone or tablet.

A day later, he was reduced to suicide precautions, which still severely limited his phone use and ability to leave his cell, according to his lawyers.

On Friday, Allen's lawyers reported he was reassessed and found not to be a threat, yet was still isolated in a form of protective custody resulting in him being held separately.