An armed suspect charged a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ dinner attended by Donald Trump, who branded the alleged attacker a “lone wolf whack job” after being evacuated by Secret Service agents
A gunman armed with “multiple weapons” who attempted to storm a Washington dinner attended by Donald Trump was “a lone wolf whack job”, in the words of the US president. The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner descended into pandemonium on Saturday night as Trump, who has previously been the target of an assassination attempt, was rapidly whisked away by secret service agents.
One officer, who was shot but shielded by his bulletproof vest, was transported to hospital. The suspect, reported to have been carrying a shotgun and handgun, has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California.
It is believed he was a guest at the Washington Hilton hotel where the event was taking place, reports the Mirror. He faces charges including assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but acting attorney general Todd Blanche stated that additional charges will be brought.
Trump addressed the media following the shooting and has posted pictures on his Truth Social platform of the suspected shooter handcuffed on the ground. Mr Trump said: “My impression is he was a lone wolf whack job. These are crazy people.”
The US president commended the work of the secret service and added that the suspected gunman was not close to breaching the ballroom where he sat on stage at the time of the incident. He added: “I saw a room that was just totally unified. It was, in one way, very beautiful, a very beautiful thing.
“To see a man charge a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of secret service, and they acted very quickly.” He continued: “It is always shocking when something like this happens.”
Washington mayor Muriel Bowser stated she had “no reason” to suspect anyone else was involved. Mr Blanche remarked: “Tonight you saw the very worst and the very best of this country. You saw the very worst by the actions of that coward… but you also saw the very best because you saw law enforcement do exactly what they’re supposed to do.
“I promise you justice will be served.” Trump added that the event would be rearranged within the next 30 days.
The Washington Hilton has previously been the site of an attempted presidential assassination when then president Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr outside the hotel in 1981.
This led to a significant increase in security at the premises.