A 31-year-old California man has been charged with the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump after authorities say he tried to storm the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington. Cole Thomas Allen allegedly brought a shotgun and a pistol to the hotel where the event was held, having reserved a room weeks in advance. If convicted on the top charge, he faces up to life in prison.

According to court documents, Allen traveled by train from California and checked into the hotel the day before the dinner. Investigators say he attempted to rush past a security barricade near the ballroom, prompting an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service agents. Trump was escorted from the stage unharmed, while one agent was struck in a bullet resistant vest and survived.

Authorities are still examining ballistic evidence to determine key details of the shooting. Prosecutors say Allen sent an email before the attack describing himself as a 'Friendly Federal Assassin' and expressing grievances with the Trump administration. A judge ordered him held in custody pending further hearings.

Records show Allen has no prior criminal history and is a highly educated tutor and video game developer with degrees in mechanical engineering and computer science. The annual dinner was canceled following the incident, which officials said disrupted what was meant to be a celebratory event.