‘Lone gunman’ armed with shotgun rushed security before opening fire inside White House Correspondents Dinner
The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was thrown into chaos after a lone gunman opened fire at the high-profile event Saturday night.
The suspected shooter was taken into custody, although no details have been given on any potential motive.
President Trump, first lady Melania Trump and other members of the administration were rushed from the Washington Hilton’s ballroom as guests scrambled for cover during the shocking incident at the Washington Hilton.
Here’s what we know so far.
The New York Times, citing multiple law enforcement sources, identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said that the assailant had been apprehended and posted a photo of a man lying down on the ground at the hotel.
The president also posted surveillance footage of a man running past the hotel’s security checkpoint, with agents appearing to draw their weapons and start firing.
Trump said he did so for “transparency” and to highlight the speed with which agents reacted to the threat.
At a press briefing later at the White House, Trump called the suspect “a sick person” and said investigators were on their way to his apartment.
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C, said the suspect was being charged with two counts: using a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
Pirro said that the defendant would be arraigned in federal court on Monday.
Washington D.C. police chief, Jeffery W. Carroll, said at a briefing that the suspect was armed with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives.
Chief Carroll said that although the suspect was not shot by security, he was taken to the hospital for evaluation.
Carroll added that the suspect was believed to have been a guest at the hotel.
