A shooting incident occurred at an event attended by U.S. President Donald Trump and other high-ranking officials. An armed man attempted to break into the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hill hotel in Washington. The attacker was detained. Trump and other members of his administration were evacuated.
“The man rushed the checkpoint, armed with several types of weapons. And he was neutralized by very brave Secret Service officers, who acted very quickly”, Trump said at a press conference following the incident.
According to him, one Secret Service officer was wounded. The attacker fired at him from close range, but the agent was saved by a bulletproof vest.
Trump added that after the shots were fired, he was quickly evacuated together with the first lady. Vice President J.D. Vance was also present at the event.
In his remarks, Trump used the incident as an argument in favor of building a ballroom at the White House, a proposal that has sparked debate in American society.
The FBI has already launched an investigation, and searches are being carried out. The attacker will face charges including the use of a firearm and assault on a federal officer.
“We will thoroughly examine this individual’s background. That process has already begun, and we are going to make sure whether he was acting alone or if there was anyone else responsible. We will immediately analyze all the evidence to ensure the safety of our country”, said FBI Director Kash Patel.
The main line of the investigation is that the suspect acted alone. According to police, he had a shotgun, a pistol, and several knives. The attacker’s motives remain unclear.
The event, which was expected to host about 2,600 people, was canceled. It is planned to be held in 30 days.
A photo of the attacker, as well as a video recording of the incident captured by a surveillance camera, was published on Donald Trump’s Truth Social account. It shows Secret Service officers, apparently at the event checkpoint. At one point, a man can be seen running into the frame, attempting to break through the checkpoint. Agents then open fire.
U.S. media, citing sources close to the investigation, report that the detainee is 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen, a resident of California.
