US President Donald Trump was rushed from the White House correspondents' dinner on Saturday night after a security incident involving a suspected shooter. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, was taken into custody after allegedly firing at a Secret Service agent.
According to President Trump, a Secret Service officer was shot at close range but was saved by his bulletproof vest. The president said the suspect was “armed with multiple weapons” and charged at a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the event was being held.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Jeff Carroll stated that the suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives. The suspect was not struck by gunfire and was taken to hospital for evaluation. The wounded Secret Service agent was also hospitalized but is reported to be in good condition.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the accused gunman is believed to have been targeting members of the Trump administration. Authorities said the suspect traveled by train from California to Chicago and then to Washington, where he checked in as a guest at the hotel days before the dinner.
US Attorney Jeanine Piro said the suspect will be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. He is due to appear before a US district judge on Monday. The FBI's counter-terrorism unit is leading the investigation, with Director Kash Patel stating they will examine the suspect's background thoroughly.
President Trump described the suspect as a “lone wolf” and a “whack job.” The incident caused panic among the roughly 2,600 attendees, who were ordered to take cover as Secret Service agents flooded the ballroom. Both President Trump and Vice-President JD Vance were unharmed.
