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Gunman Targets Trump Officials at White House Correspondents' Dinner
A 31-year-old gunman attempted to breach security at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C., leading to the evacuation of President Trump and other officials. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the suspect was believed to be targeting Trump administration members, with one Secret Service officer injured but expected to recover.
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A gunman opened fire outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday, prompting the evacuation of President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other cabinet members. , with attendees hearing between five and eight shots.
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Secret Service agents quickly responded, tackling the suspect and taking him into custody. The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, is believed to have traveled by train from California to Chicago and then to Washington, checking into the hotel on Friday.
Authorities reported he was armed with multiple weapons, including a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives.
Todd Blanche stated that investigators believe the gunman was targeting top Trump administration officials, possibly including the president. Blanche told reporters the analysis is preliminary, and the motive remains under investigation. He added that the suspect could face charges of attempting to assassinate President Trump.
Sources differ on the suspect's fate: multiple outlets reported he was taken into custody alive, while one account stated he was killed. President Trump described the gunman as likely a lone actor. The FBI reported between seven and eight shots were fired, though it is unclear how many came from the suspect versus law enforcement.
“The system worked. Law enforcement and the Secret Service protected all of us. The man barely got past the perimeter.”
