A gala dinner attended by journalists and President Donald Trump in Washington D.C. was abruptly interrupted by gunfire, prompting a swift evacuation of government officials. The suspect, identified as Cole Allen, a 31-year-old from California, was apprehended and is set to appear in court on Monday. The incident, which occurred on Saturday night, has raised questions about the event’s security measures.
The dinner, held at a hotel in the U.S. capital, was marked by inadequate security, as reported by Raquel Krahenbuhl of TV Globo. Attendees were not subjected to thorough checks, allowing easy access to the venue. The gunfire erupted before guests reached the main dining area, causing chaos as people sought cover under tables while Secret Service agents responded with heavy weaponry. Some guests even constructed barricades using chairs.
The suspect, Cole Allen, was armed with a shotgun, a pistol, and several knives. He was captured on security footage attempting to breach the security perimeter but was subdued by Secret Service agents outside the dining hall. Allen, who was staying at the hotel, reportedly used an elevator to reach the event floor. A Secret Service agent was shot but protected by a bulletproof vest. The FBI is investigating Allen’s residence in Torrence, California, and believes he acted alone.
While the motive remains unclear, Allen allegedly confessed to targeting members of the Trump administration. He faces charges of using a firearm during a violent crime and assaulting a federal agent with a dangerous weapon, as stated by prosecutor Jeanine Pirro. Allen will be formally charged in a federal court on Monday.
President Trump described the event as “traumatic,” initially mistaking the gunfire for a dropped tray. He praised the quick response of the security team and expressed gratitude to the First Lady, Melania Trump, for her composure. Trump speculated that he might have been the target, noting previous assassination attempts against him, and acknowledged the inherent dangers of his role.
