politics
WHCD Shooting Suspect Intended to Target Trump Officials, Sources Say
The suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting stated to law enforcement that he intended to target Trump administration officials, according to senior federal law enforcement sources. He prepared a manifesto and shared related rhetoric on social media. The incident involved gunfire at a security checkpoint, injuring a Secret Service officer who is expected to recover.
CCTV / Wikimedia (Public domain)Audio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
A suspect in the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner told law enforcement after his arrest that he intended to target Trump administration officials, senior federal law enforcement sources confirmed to Fox News. The suspect, identified as Allen, also prepared a manifesto outlining his intent and shared anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric on social media, the sources said.
During the dinner on Saturday night, Allen allegedly rushed a Secret Service checkpoint at the Washington Hilton while armed with multiple weapons and opened fire, striking a Secret Service officer in his ballistic vest. Agents returned fire and tackled Allen to the ground.
Both the suspect and the injured officer were transported to a hospital, and the Secret Service agent is expected to recover.
The incident occurred amid previous threats against President Donald Trump, including two confirmed assassination attempts and a recent case involving an armed intruder at Mar-a-Lago. Overnight, the FBI and local law enforcement secured Allen’s home in Torrance, California.
A federal judge in the Central District of California is expected to approve a search warrant to allow investigators to search the residence.
The White House stated on Sunday that Allen’s brother contacted the New London Police Department in Connecticut prior to the shooting, reporting that Allen had sent family members a manifesto outlining his intent to target administration officials. Allen’s sister, Avriana Allen, told investigators in Rockville, Maryland, that her brother had made increasingly radical statements and often spoke about taking action to address world issues.
She said he had purchased two handguns and a shotgun, which he stored at their parents’ home without their knowledge, and that he regularly trained at a shooting range. Avriana Allen also stated that her brother was affiliated with a group called "The Wide Awakes" and had attended a "No Kings" protest in California.
