Investigators say the suspect who attempted to breach a high-profile gala attended by Donald Trump had planned to target senior members of the U.S. administration, raising fresh concerns over security at the event.
The incident occurred during the annual dinner organised by the White House Correspondents’ Association in Washington, where Trump was swiftly escorted out of a hotel ballroom by United States Secret Service agents after gunfire erupted.
Footage later shared by the president showed the gunman attempting to rush past a security checkpoint as armed guards drew their weapons.
Following a brief exchange of gunfire, the suspect was subdued and taken into custody at the scene.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Sunday that early findings suggest the attacker intended to strike high-ranking officials.
“He’s not actively cooperating. I expect that he will be formally charged tomorrow morning in federal court in Washington,” Blanche said during an interview with CBS’s Face The Nation.
“We do believe that he was targeting members of the administration.”
He disclosed that the suspect, armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives, had been staying at the Washington Hilton, the venue hosting the black-tie event.
Blanche said investigators believe the individual travelled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago, and then on to Washington.
“It appears he purchased these firearms in the past couple years,” he added, noting that a clear motive has yet to be established.
The dinner was attended by top political figures, including First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, cabinet members, lawmakers, and hundreds of guests.
Panic broke out as attendees scrambled for cover while security agents moved in.
Speaking at a late-night press briefing at the White House, Trump initially said he mistook the sound of gunfire for a dropped object before realising the seriousness of the situation.
“They seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too,” he said, suggesting preliminary assessments point to a single attacker.
One law enforcement officer was shot at close range but was protected by a safety vest and is not believed to have sustained life-threatening injuries.
Trump also questioned the security of the venue, describing it as “not a particularly secure” location, as scrutiny mounted over how the attacker was able to get so close.
Investigators later searched a residence in Torrance believed to be linked to the suspect, who U.S. media identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen.
The incident has revived memories of past threats against the president.
During a 2024 campaign rally in Butler, Trump survived an assassination attempt in which a gunman killed an audience member and injured him.
Months later, another suspect was arrested after a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle near a golf course in West Palm Beach where Trump was playing.
The Washington Hilton itself carries historical significance, having been the site of the 1981 assassination attempt on former US president Ronald Reagan.
Despite tensions with the media, Trump attended this year’s correspondents’ dinner after previously skipping the event throughout his presidency.
The gathering traditionally brings together journalists, political leaders, and public figures to celebrate the press and raise funds for scholarships.
The shooting comes just days before the arrival of King Charles III and Queen Camilla for a planned state visit to the United States, adding to an already heightened security atmosphere in the capital.
