A gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday evening, injuring a law enforcement officer and prompting scenes of panic as Secret Service evacuated President Donald Trump and other officials.
Suspect Identified and Charged
The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California, was detained and subsequently charged with firearms and assault offences, including assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated that preliminary findings suggest the gunman was targeting administration officials, likely including the President, and had travelled by train from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C.
Officer's Vest Prevented Tragedy
The injured law enforcement officer has been discharged from hospital, with officials confirming that a ballistic vest helped prevent a potential tragedy during the incident.
Aftermath and Reactions
Following the shooting, the annual dinner was cancelled. Trump held a press conference applauding law enforcement, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to the President to express relief for his safety.
