Trump evacuated from White House Correspondents’ Dinner after shooting incident, suspect nabbed

US President Donald Trump was rushed out of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night after gunshots were fired near the event venue in Washington, DC. The incident sparked moments of confusion and panic as attendees ducked under tables while Secret Service agents moved to secure the president.

Trump later said a “gunman armed with multiple weapons” had been “taken down by some very brave members of the Secret Service.”

According to the BBC, one officer was shot at close range but was saved by his bullet-proof vest, he added. The president also shared an image of the alleged suspect along with what appears to be footage from the beginning of the shooting.

The suspect has been identified by US media as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California. Washington DC’s Interim Police Chief, Jeffery W. Carroll, confirmed that Allen had been staying as a guest at the hotel where the dinner took place. Police have secured his room as part of their investigation.

Carroll said the suspect’s motive was not yet known, and stressed that the presence of shots fired does not indicate a security failure. The checkpoint where Allen was apprehended “was there for a reason, and it worked,” he said. Allen was not previously known to the Metropolitan Police Department.

Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for Washington, said the suspect was facing two federal charges: using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on federal officers with a dangerous weapon. He is expected to be arraigned in federal court on Monday.

Authorities have increased police presence around the capital for related events and after-parties, though officials say there is no indication of further danger to the public.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.