A gunman accused of attempting to force his way into the ballroom at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is believed to have been targeting members of the Trump administration, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche revealed.
Suspect Identified
The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, a teacher from Torrance, California, was seen trying to bolt past a security checkpoint while armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives on Saturday night. He exchanged fire with Secret Service agents before being tackled and arrested. One agent was struck in his bulletproof vest and is expected to recover. No one else was harmed.
Investigation Details
Blanche stated that officials believe the suspect traveled by train from California to Chicago and then to Washington. Evidence found on Allen's electronic devices suggests he intended to target administration members attending the dinner. Allen told law enforcement he wanted to shoot administration officials but did not specify whether he was targeting President Donald Trump or any particular individual, CBS News reported, citing anonymous sources.
Event Disrupted
The White House Correspondents Dinner, an annual black-tie gala bringing together politicians and journalists, was barely underway when the Secret Service was forced to act after shots rang out. Trump released surveillance footage showing Allen, dressed in all black, sprinting inside the Washington Hilton hotel with a gun before being rushed by armed guards. Journalists captured images of top administration officials being rushed to safety by Secret Service agents.
Video footage showed Vice President JD Vance being frantically helped off stage by Secret Service agents as Trump and Melania ducked for cover. Clips then showed several agents reaching for the President and quickly pulling him to safety.
This is a developing story. More to follow.
