A federal magistrate judge on Monday said he was “very troubled” by the treatment of the alleged gunman at the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner shooting last month.
Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui raised concerns with the suspect, Cole Allen, being placed on suicide watch, repeatedly strip-searched and kept in constant isolation from other inmates in general population.
“I am very troubled by what they indicate the conditions that you have been subjected to,” Faruqui told Allen during a hearing, according to NBC. “I’m sorry. It sounds like things have not been the way they’re supposed to.”
Allen was taken off suicide watch on Friday but is still being held separately from other inmates in a form of protective custody, NBC reported.
The hearing came a little over a week after the WHCA dinner shooting on April 25 at the Washington Hilton.
The incident at the high-profile event caused President Trump, Vice President Vance and other Cabinet officials to be evacuated by Secret Service due to the threat of gunfire at an event with more than 2,000 guests.
Allen was recorded sprinting past Secret Service agents with guns and knives.
He is charged with one count of attempting to assassinate the president of the United States, transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro on Monday decried Farqui’s apology for Allen’s treatment behind bars.
In a post on X, Pirro wrote that the magistrate judge “believes a defendant armed to the teeth and attempting to assassinate the president is entitled to preferential treatment in his confinement compared to every other defendant.”
However, Farqui said he’s concerned that Allen has not been granted due process under the law.
“My concern remains if this is what’s happening in this case, what’s happening in every other case,” he told attorneys on Monday, noting that those convicted of killing people are being housed with “less restrictive” conditions.
Tony Towns, the D.C. Department of Corrections’ acting general counsel, said during Allen’s evaluation he was determined to be a suicide risk, but the evaluation was not included in his record, CBS reported.
Farqui has requested to see the form and ordered the Department of Corrections to provide an update to the court by Tuesday morning on the status of Allen’s continued detainment ahead of trial.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Ballantine, who is prosecuting the case, said Monday that Allen told FBI agents that he did not expect to survive the attack, according to CBS.
“It’s clear he did not expect to survive it, which gives rise to potential concern for suicide,” Ballantine said, per the outlet.
However, Allen’s attorneys said their client didn’t show signs of suicidal behavior.
The suspected gunman has been held without access to a tablet and a Bible. Allen requested both items in addition to a visit from a chaplain in preparation for his upcoming court battle.
Farqui said the conditions he’s being kept under “could drive a person crazy to be in that situation,” according to The Associated Press.
