Suspected Gunman Targets Trump and Officials at White House Correspondents' Dinner
US President Donald Trump and his administration officials were the "likely" targets of a suspected gunman who attempted to breach the White House Correspondents' Dinner, according to acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche.
The suspect, identified by US media as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, was apprehended after opening fire near a security checkpoint during the event held at a Washington DC hotel on Saturday.
Blanche, in an interview with NBC News, stated that while the motive remains under investigation, "preliminary" evidence suggests the attacker was aiming at administration officials.
The FBI's criminal division and terrorism task force are actively investigating the incident.
President Trump, who was swiftly removed from the stage to safety, remarked to reporters following the shooting,
"I can't imagine that there's any profession that's more dangerous".
In a statement released on Sunday, the White House affirmed that Trump "stands fearless" after surviving, alongside cabinet members, "an assassination attempt when shots were fired".
The White House Correspondents' Association president, Weijia Jiang, described the attack as "harrowing".
On Sunday, Jiang, who was seated beside Trump at the dinner, expressed gratitude to the Secret Service for their actions which "protected thousands of guests".
She added that the association's board will convene to decide on future steps and will provide updates as they become available.
On Sunday, Trump told Fox News that the suspect "had a lot of hatred in his heart for a while," and noted that his family was aware he had "difficulties." He also mentioned that the suspect possessed a "manifesto."
Details of the Incident
At approximately 20:35 local time (00:35 GMT) on Saturday, gunshots were reported in the foyer of the Washington Hilton hotel, where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was taking place in the ballroom on a lower floor.
The president, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice-President JD Vance were promptly escorted out of the room by security personnel.
Law enforcement officials exchanged fire with the alleged attacker and intercepted him, believing the suspect discharged his weapon. The suspect was not injured but was transported to a hospital for evaluation.
Police reported that the suspect was armed with two firearms and knives.
Investigators are examining writings attributed to the suspect, which indicate a desire to specifically target administration officials, according to a senior US official cited by CBS News.
One of Allen's family members alerted authorities after receiving writings from him prior to the attack. These writings reportedly did not explicitly mention the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
has not independently verified the alleged writings, described as a manifesto, which were reportedly sent to the suspect's family before the attempted attack.
An officer injured by gunfire during the incident has since been discharged from the hospital. The officer's bulletproof vest was credited with preventing a potential tragedy, according to Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service's chief of communications.
Several BBC reporters present at the dinner described scenes of widespread confusion following the gunshots.
Gary O'Donoghue, the BBC's Chief North America correspondent, recounted hearing "booming sounds" and immediately recognizing them as the "low thudding sound that semi-automatic weapons make."
The room was briefly locked down before an announcement was made that the event would be rescheduled, and attendees were escorted out.
Suspect's Background and Legal Proceedings
Blanche informed CBS News that investigators believe the suspect traveled to Washington, DC by train, journeying from Los Angeles to Chicago before arriving in the capital.
Allen identifies himself as a mechanical engineer, game developer, and teacher on LinkedIn. He is from Torrance, California, where authorities are conducting a search of an address believed to be linked to him.
He is scheduled to be formally charged in federal court on Monday with assault of a federal officer and using a firearm during a crime of violence, officials confirmed.
President Trump's Response and Security Measures
Following the attack, President Trump delivered a briefing from the White House. Dressed in black tie attire among formally dressed journalists, he praised the Secret Service, stating that everyone present owed them a "tremendous debt of gratitude."
Despite his history of criticism towards the media during his presidency, Trump took a moment to thank the press for their "responsible coverage" of the incident.
He also called for peaceful resolution of differences.
"We must resolve our differences peacefully," Trump said.
Trump used the incident to advocate for the construction of a new ballroom at the White House, writing on Truth Social that the attack "would not have happened with the Militarily Top Secret Ballroom currently under construction."
The project has faced multiple legal challenges.
Previous Threats and Attendance History
This marks the third assassination threat against Trump. In July 2024, a bullet grazed his ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and in September 2024, a suspected gunman was spotted hiding in bushes at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Trump was attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner for the first time as president; his last attendance was in 2011 as a private citizen.
Reactions from Former Presidents and World Leaders
Following the incident, former President Barack Obama, who spoke at the 2011 event Trump attended, emphasized the importance of rejecting violence in democracy.
"It's incumbent upon all us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy. It's also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice that U.S. Secret Service Agents show every day. I'm grateful to them – and thankful that the agent who was shot is going to be okay."
World leaders also condemned the attack.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed shock and stated,
"Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was "relieved" that Trump, the First Lady, and others present were safe.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also expressed relief that those at the scene were unharmed.
