A suspect was detained after a shooting happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which took place at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D. C. The event was attended by senior government officials, diplomats, and members of the press.
President of the United States Donald Trump said that during the shootout a Secret Service agent was shot, but he lived as his bullet-resistant vest stopped the bullet. Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and the rest of the fancy guests were evacuated safely from the venue as security forces quickly went to the situation to prevent further danger.
Through the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the White House Correspondents’ Association raises funds for scholarship programs to support talented journalism students across the country while celebrating journalism and the presidency.
People attending the dinner were scared when multiple gunshots were fired on Saturday evening and created panic inside the ballroom. Secret Service officers quickly covered the president with their bodies and took him out of the place while the people took cover.
According to the report, the police arrested a suspect named Cole Tomas Allen, 31 years old, from Torrance, California. Officials say that Allen was carrying multiple weapons including a shotgun, handgun and knives. He also allegedly tried to break through security before shooting near the main screening area. The crowd put a stop to him and he was apprehended right at the scene.
Allen probably will be charged with several federal offenses, such as wielding a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer. While his motive is still unknown.
In his statement, President Trump lauded law enforcement for their quick reaction and called the officers’ conduct courageous and professional. He said that security measures are strong and that the incident will not be the source of the public’s declining confidence in the nation’s systems.
Since the attack, other world leaders have joined in condemning the act and called it a threat to democratic institutions, although they are thankful that there were no deaths.
