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WASHINGTON — Saturday night took a dramatic turn when a man, heavily armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives, breached the lobby outside the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. The high-profile event, attended by President Donald Trump and various United States leaders, quickly became the focal point of a significant security incident.
Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department reported that the assailant managed to sprint through security, subsequently firing shots in close proximity to the gathering. This alarming breach prompted the Secret Service to swiftly evacuate the president and other dignitaries, ensuring their safety amidst the chaos.
Authorities have since identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California. According to two law enforcement officials speaking with The Associated Press, it appears Allen acted alone in this brazen attack.
With the suspect now in custody, investigations are underway to determine the motives behind his actions and how he managed to bypass security measures. As the situation unfolds, it underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining security at events of this magnitude.
The shooting suspect was identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press.
Police said they “exchanged gunfire” with the suspect, but he was not hit. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the suspect was in the hospital but did not provide a status on his condition overnight.
Trump posted a surveillance video of the incident and multiple images of the suspected shooter on social media.
During a press conference back at the White House, the president identified the gunman as a man from California, who had been “captured.” He said officials believe the man acted as a “lone wolf.”
Interim Chief of Police of the Metropolitan Police Department Jeffery W. Carroll said Allen was armed with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives. He said preliminary evidence shows the suspect was a guest at the hotel where the dinner was being held.
While the investigation is still underway, police say they believe he was the only suspect in this incident and there is no danger to public at this time.
Authorities said he was “not known” to them before the shooting.
Social media posts that appear to match the California man arrested Saturday in the shooting at the White House correspondents’ dinner show he is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer.
FBI agents were spotted leaving the scene outside a home linked to the suspected gunman in Torrance, which is a Los Angeles suburb, CNN reported.
A police perimeter was established and a large number of media and law enforcement, as well as onlookers, gathered in the area.
A U.S. Secret Service officer wearing protective gear was shot during the incident but has since been released from the hospital, according to the agency’s chief of communications.
Allen is expected to be arraigned in court on Monday. He faces at least two charges, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro: using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
Allen could face additional charges.
No motive was identified in the hours following the incident, according to investigators.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.