Washington correspondents' dinner shooting suspect pleads not guilty

A man accused of attacking the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington DC last month has pleaded not guilty in court.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, faces federal gun charges and an allegation that he attempted to assassinate US President Donald Trump.

Allen appeared before US District Judge Trevor McFadden on Monday in an orange jumpsuit and was shackled at the wrists and feet.

Prosecutors say he tried to force his way past a security checkpoint and fired a shot at a US Secret Service agent at the Washington Hilton hotel.

The agent was hit during an exchange of gunfire but was protected by a bulletproof vest.

Allen was tackled just short of a staircase leading down to a ballroom where the annual dinner was getting under way.

The case is significant because it involves alleged political violence at an event attended by journalists, Trump and other senior US officials.

It also raises questions about security at a high-profile gathering in the US capital.

The charges against Allen include using a firearm during a crime of violence and interstate transportation of a firearm with intent to commit a felony.

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