President Donald Trump, members of his administration and the press attending the White House Correspondents’ Dinner are safe after a shooting in a security area at the event.
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Trump posted surveillance video appearing to show the individual running through the hotel as Secret Service agents fired their weapons. A Scripps News employee who attended the event captured images of authorities apprehending a suspect, who The Associated Press identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, citing law enforcement sources.
Additionally, Trump shared an image of the suspect face down on the ground at the Washington Hilton. FBI Director Kash Patel said the individual was armed with a long gun.
Trump spoke to the press at the White House after he was evacuated from the hotel.
"My impression — it was a lone wolf whack job," Trump said, referring to the suspect.
He also praised the Secret Service, appearing to downplay how much danger he could have been in.
"You know, he charged from 50 yards away," Trump said. "So, he was very far away from the room."
Trump also noted that he spoke to a member of the Secret Service who was shot in their bulletproof vest. He said they are OK and in "high spirits."
The event was canceled for the night, but Trump said he wants it to be held again within about 30 days. It marked his first time attending the dinner as president. He had previously skipped the event, unlike many other presidents, as he has at times had a more hostile relationship with the press.
However, on Saturday night, he praised members of the press.
"So many tuxedos and beautiful dresses. It was a little different evening than we thought, but we're going to do it again. And we're going — we have a great chairman who we're so proud of. We have to make it. We'll make it safer, I guess, right? But we're going to make it even better."
