WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump and officials in his administration were the likely targets of a suspect who fired at a security agent guarding the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Sunday.
As the sound of shots was heard in the ballroom hosting the dinner, attendees, including members of the press, their family members, and government officials, immediately fell silent, CNN reported.
In an interview with NBC News, Blanche said of the shooter: “It does appear that he, he did, in fact, set out to target folks that work in the administration, likely including the president.”
Blanche added that the suspect likely travelled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then to Washington.
The suspect will be charged in federal court on Monday with assault of a federal officer, discharging a firearm and attempting to kill a federal officer, Blanche said.
The suspect — who was armed with a shotgun, handgun and knives, according to CNN — had charged a checkpoint at the hotel, opening fire at a Secret Service agent, before being tackled and arrested.
Secret Service Spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the shooting took place near the main screening area at the entrance of the event.
The agent who was shot was hit in an area covered by protective gear and not harmed, a Federal Bureau of Investigation official told Reuters.
Secret Service officers in combat gear rushed into the dining room, providing cover to Trump and the first lady, who had bent down behind the dais before being hustled out by Secret Service officers.
‘Lone wolf’
Speaking at a press conference after the attack, Trump said the attacker was a “would-be assassin” armed with multiple weapons who charged a security checkpoint before being subdued by Secret Service personnel.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner by Secret Service agents on Saturday night after a man opened fire on security personnel, officials said.
A man carrying a shotgun opened fire on a Secret Service agent during the event, an FBI official told Reuters, adding that the officer was struck in an area protected by body armour and was not injured.
All federal officials, including Trump, were safe. About an hour after Trump was rushed from the event, he posted on Truth Social that a “shooter had been apprehended”.
Trump said one officer was shot but was saved by a bulletproof vest, adding that authorities had reviewed the circumstances and found no indication of a broader plot.
“In my opinion, he was a lone wolf,” he said, describing the suspect as a “whack job” and ruling out any apparent connection to the Iran conflict.
“Quite an evening in DC, Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job,” Trump added.
Shortly afterwards, Trump posted, “The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition”.
Secret Service investigating shooting incident
Anthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesman, said the service was investigating a shooting near the main screening area at the entrance to the event.
Multiple US news outlets identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, in the southwest of Los Angeles County.
The federal prosecutor said the shooting suspect will be arraigned in the US capital on Monday and appear before a US district judge.
According to US Attorney Jeanine Piro, the suspect will be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
After the sound of shots, dinner attendees immediately stopped talking, and people started screaming, “Get down, get down!”
Hundreds of guests dove under the tables as Secret Service officers in combat gear ran into the dining room. Trump and the first lady had bent down behind the dais before being hustled out by Secret Service officers.
Many of the 2,600 attendees took cover while waiters fled to the front of the dining hall.
Security agents pushed cabinet officials to the ground, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
Trump safe
In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump confirmed that he was safe and praised the swift response of law enforcement agencies.
He stated that the suspected shooter had been apprehended and that authorities were handling the situation.
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely,” Trump wrote, adding that while he had initially suggested continuing the event, the final decision would rest with security officials.
Shortly afterwards, he announced that law enforcement had ordered a full evacuation of the premises in line with protocol.
“The First Lady, the Vice President, and all Cabinet members are in perfect condition,” he said, adding that he would address the nation in a press briefing within 30 minutes from the White House.
The dinner was subsequently cancelled, with Trump indicating it would be rescheduled within the next 30 days.
