… Says suspect is in custody
A suspect is facing at least three charges after shots were fired at Saturday night’s annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC.
The president, first lady, and all Secret Service protectees were safe following the incident, the Secret Service said.
A security video of the incident, posted by Trump on Truth Social, showed an individual running past security officers outside the main doors of the event. Officers in the video could be seen trying to grab the man, then drawing their weapons and pointing their guns at him.
In a press conference following the incident, Trump said a Secret Service agent was shot in his bulletproof vest and said that “he’s in great shape.”
Citing authorities, multiple media outlets have reported that the suspect is 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California. Authorities have not publicly commented on the suspect’s identity. Business Insider was not able to independently confirm the suspect’s identity.
Jeffrey Carroll, the interim chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, said in a press conference following the president’s remarks that the suspect was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives when he tried to bypass a security checkpoint at the event.
The suspect was not struck by gunfire and was transported to a hospital for evaluation, Carroll said.
In remarks after the incident, Trump described the suspect as a “sick person” who had been “totally subdued and under control.”
In a Truth Social post shared at 3:30 a.m. EST, Trump posted an image of a shirtless man lying face down, hands behind his back, surrounded by law enforcement officers.
The incident occurred after 8:30 p.m., shortly after Trump had appeared for the first time as US president at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and taken his seat.
There was suddenly shouting in front of the stage, according to Tim Röhn, the senior editor of the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, who attended the event. Business Insider is part of the network.
Röhn reported that pushing and chaos broke out, people started running, guests threw themselves to the floor, and hid under tables. From behind the curtains onstage, heavily armed officers emerged and pointed their rifles at the crowd.
Guests needed a screenshot of an invitation to gain access to the premises and the building, Röhn reported. Photo ID wasn’t required. Inside, Secret Service agents patrolled in some areas with dogs, and there was an airport-style security checkpoint in front of the ballroom. Jackets did not need to be removed for security checks.
