Suspect in Trump shooting to appear in court
A California man accused of storming a gala dinner attended by President Donald Trump was to appear in court on Monday over a shooting that marks the latest spasm of political violence in deeply divided America.
Administration officials said the suspect in Saturday night’s shocking attack apparently aimed to kill Trump and senior officials at the press dinner in a Washington hotel, in what would be the third attempt on the president’s life in two years.
Trump, who was rushed out of the ballroom in Washington by Secret Service agents, posted surveillance footage of the gunman attempting to sprint past a checkpoint one floor above the room where the dinner was held.
After a brief exchange of gunfire with agents, the suspect was detained at the scene.
Not worried
Trump shared photos of the suspect handcuffed on the carpeted hotel floor, lying shirtless and face down.
In an interview aired on Sunday night on the CBS program “60 Minutes,” Trump was asked if he feared there would be casualties as the chaotic scene unfolded before him: Washington’s government and media elite in formal attire ducking for cover at a fancy dinner.
“I wasn’t worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world,” Trump said.
“He’s not actively cooperating. I expect that he will be formally charged tomorrow morning in federal court in Washington,” acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche told CBS’ “Face The Nation” earlier in the day.
“We do believe, based upon just a very preliminary start to understanding what happened, that he was targeting members of the administration.”
‘Anti-Christian’ manifesto
Blanche added that no further motive was known for the attack, and confirmed the suspect—who officials said was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives—was staying at the Washington Hilton hotel where the black-tie White House Correspondents’ Dinner was held.
Trump, without providing details, said the gunman had written an “anti-Christian” manifesto.
“The guy is a sick guy,” Trump told Fox News. “His sister or his brother actually was complaining about it. They were even complaining to law enforcement.”
The New York Post said the suspect, widely named as Cole Allen, 31, had written in a message shared with his family shortly before the attack that his targets would be “prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest.”
In the seconds after the shooting a floor above, Secret Service agents swarmed into the ballroom, prompting chaotic scenes as attendees dove under tables.
Crowded into the ballroom were Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, several Cabinet members and top lawmakers, and hundreds of guests in black tie.
The incident came less than 48 hours before King Charles III and Queen Camilla begin a four-day state visit to Washington.
