The gunman at The Washington Saturday night event is believed to have targeted President Donald Trump and members of his administration, authorities have said.
Gunshots were heard outside the venue hosting the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, where Trump, senior government officials and journalists had gathered, triggering a rapid response from Secret Service agents who subdued the suspect.
Investigators say the man had travelled from California to Washington, DC by train via Chicago, with early findings suggesting the attack may have been planned.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said authorities believe the suspect intended to reach individuals linked to the administration.
“It does appear that he did, in fact, set out to target folks who work in the administration, likely including the president,” Blanche told NBC.
One Secret Service officer was shot during the confrontation but is recovering, officials confirmed. The suspect was arrested at the scene and later taken to hospital for evaluation.
While authorities have not officially named him, several US media outlets have identified the suspect as a 31-year-old man from Torrance, California.
Reports indicate he sent a lengthy note to family members before the incident, criticizing Trump and expressing strong personal views.
President Trump, speaking to Fox News, said the suspect’s family had earlier raised concerns with local police. He also claimed the man had written an anti-Christian declaration.
“The guy is a sick guy .When you read his manifesto, he hates Christians,” he said .
Videos circulating online showed the suspect running past security barriers before being stopped by Secret Service agents.
The area was quickly secured, with National Guard personnel deployed and helicopters seen circling overhead. Despite the scare, the annual dinner went on under heightened security.
In the aftermath, Trump renewed calls for the construction of a new ballroom within the White House grounds, a proposal estimated to cost $400 million and one that has faced legal challenges and mixed public opinion.
“What happened last night is exactly the reason that our great Military, Secret Service, Law Enforcement and, for different reasons, every President for the last 150 years, have been demanding that a large, safe, and secure Ballroom be built on the grounds of the White House,” Trump wrote on his Social platform.
The president also struck a more conciliatory tone after the incident, describing it as another attempt on his life and calling for unity across political divides. Investigations into the suspect’s motive and background are ongoing.
