“The guy is a sick guy,” said President Trump after a gunman attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, tried to breach the event targeting Trump and his administration.
Shots were fired near the ballroom where the dinner took place. Secret Service agents quickly subdued Allen.
One officer sustained a gunshot wound but wore a bulletproof vest and is recovering. Authorities have not classified this incident as an assassination attempt against Trump.
Trump and Melania Trump were evacuated from the dinner following the alarming security scare. This incident marks the third attempt on Trump’s life in less than two years.
According to Todd Blanche, an attorney involved in the case, “It does appear that he did in fact set out to target folks who work in the administration, likely including the president.”
Reports indicate that Allen had written an anti-Christian declaration. He is believed to have purchased firearms over the past couple of years.
Discussions about presidential safety have intensified amid rising political violence in the U.S. The incident has revived concerns regarding Secret Service security measures.
Trump has advocated for constructing a large ballroom next to the White House—an estimated $400 million project—as a crucial security measure.
However, details about Allen’s cooperation with law enforcement remain unclear. He is expected to face multiple charges as investigations continue.