politics
31-Year-Old Man Fires Shotgun at Security Checkpoint During White House Correspondents’ Dinner
A 31-year-old man from California was thwarted by agents after allegedly rushing a security checkpoint and firing a shotgun inside the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The incident prompted an FBI raid on his family home in Torrance. Attendees, including President Trump and senior officials, were safely evacuated.
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Cole Allen, 31, allegedly rushed a security checkpoint and fired a shotgun inside the Washington Hilton on Saturday night during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Agents thwarted Allen, who is accused of trying to storm the doors yards away from President Trump.
All attendees, including President Trump, the First Lady, Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials, were safely evacuated after the gunfire erupted.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the suspect appeared to be aiming at members of the administration attending the dinner. Authorities are reviewing writings allegedly linked to Allen that suggest he intended to attack government figures. Investigators believe Allen may have been targeting high-ranking government officials.
Allen traveled from Southern California to Washington DC in the days leading up to the incident. The FBI descended on Allen's family home in Torrance hours after the incident. Armored vehicles and tactical teams swarmed the quiet residential street in Torrance during the FBI action.
Paul Thompson, a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney in the Democratic major crimes division, revealed he is close friends with the parents of Cole Allen. Thompson lives next door to the family of Cole Allen in Torrance. He has lived next to the Allen family for a couple of years.
Thompson stated: 'I didn’t really know the guy that’s accused of committing the crimes in DC last night. I know his parents. ' He described Allen’s parents as pretty normal, non-violent, and friendly.
