A man involved in a shooting incident near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner expressed his desire to target officials from the Trump administration, as per information from law enforcement sources. The individual, identified as Cole Thomas Allen, a teacher and video game developer, did not specify aiming at President Trump but mentioned aiming at administration members. Reports suggest that around five to eight gunshots were discharged during the event.
Allegedly, the 31-year-old Allen, hailing from Torrance, California, managed to enter the dinner as a guest. Authorities stated that he possessed multiple weapons, including a shotgun, handgun, and knives.
Law enforcement officials disclosed that Allen breached a security checkpoint at the hotel and fired at a Secret Service agent from close range, with the agent escaping unharmed due to wearing a bulletproof vest.
It was revealed that Allen was not under law enforcement surveillance and had no prior criminal record. He had been staying as a guest at the Washington Hilton Hotel, the venue of the dinner.
Jeffrey Carroll, the interim chief of police for the Metropolitan Police Department, mentioned that Allen had a room booked at the hotel. President Donald Trump shared an image of the suspect in police custody, labeling him as a “lone wolf whack job” and implying he acted alone during a press briefing following the incident.