Heavily Armed Shooter Fires at Agent, Sparks Chaos at White House Event: Trump

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said the suspect in the shooting near.

The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was heavily armed and had “charged a security checkpoint” before being neutralised by the United States Secret Service.

“That was very unexpected, but incredibly acted upon by the Secret Service and law enforcement,” Trump told reporters at the White House, a day after he and other top leaders were evacuated from the annual event following gunfire outside the ballroom.

“A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of the Secret Service,” he said.

AGENT SHOT, VEST PREVENTS INJURY

Trump said a Secret Service agent was shot at close range but escaped unharmed due to a bulletproof vest.
“He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job,” he said.

An official from the Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed the suspect fired at an agent, who was hit in a protected area and was not injured.

SUSPECT IDENTIFIED

The suspect was identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California, according to law enforcement officials cited by The Associated Press. He was taken into custody shortly after the incident.

Roughly an hour after being evacuated, Trump posted on Truth Social that the shooter had been apprehended.

WAS TRUMP THE TARGET?

When asked if he was the intended target, Trump said, “I guess,” adding that investigators were still working to determine the motive. He described the attacker as “probably a lone shooter.”

TRUMP, MELANIA SAFE

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the venue by Secret Service agents after the suspect allegedly attempted to breach security.

All officials present at the event, including the President, were reported safe.