Shooting Erupts at White House Correspondents' Dinner

(MENAFN) A law enforcement officer was shot Saturday night during a security breach at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed, though the officer survived thanks to protective body armor.

"One officer was shot, but saved by the fact that he was wearing a obviously, a very good bulletproof vest. He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job. I just spoke to the officer, and he's doing great. He's in great shape," Trump told reporters at a news conference.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were swiftly evacuated from the annual gala at the Washington Hilton after the security incident erupted. The president seized on the episode to press his case for a new, fortified White House ballroom currently under development.

"It's not a particularly secure building, and I didn't want to say this, but this is why we have to have all of the attributes of what we're planning at the White House. It's actually a larger room, and it's much more secure. It's drone proof, it's bulletproof glass. We need the ballroom. That's why Secret Service, that's why the military are demanding it," Trump said.

The president described the attacker as "armed with multiple weapons," and identified him as a California resident. "I guess he lives in California, and he's a sick person, a very sick person," he added.

'You will see charges filed shortly'
Media reports identified the suspect as Cole Thomas Allen, 31, who was taken into custody. Trump offered an initial assessment of the attacker's motivation: "My impression is he was a lone wolf."

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the probe remains "ongoing," warning that a wave of charges is imminent.

"I expect you will see charges filed shortly. The charges should be self-evident, given the conduct, but as you'll hear, there will be multiple charges surrounding the shooting, around the possession of firearms and anything else that we can get on this guy," Blanche said.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed agents have already begun dissecting the suspect's history.

"That process has already started ... we will analyze all evidence immediately to make sure that we safeguard this country," Patel told reporters.

When pressed on whether he believed himself to be the intended target, Trump replied simply, "I guess." Asked whether the shooting could be connected to the ongoing conflict with Iran, he said, "I don't think so. But you never know."

'Defendant will be arraigned on Monday in federal district court'
In a separate briefing, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser revealed the gunman stormed a Secret Service checkpoint inside the hotel lobby before being subdued.

"Secret Service agents stopped the suspect. An agent was injured and transported to a local hospital, where the agent is receiving care," said Bowser.

The suspect was also hospitalized for evaluation, she noted, adding: "We have no reason to believe at this time that anyone else was involved."

Metropolitan Police Department Interim Chief Jeff Carroll disclosed that the attacker carried a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives. Based on preliminary findings, Carroll said the suspect had been a registered guest at the hotel. He declined to speculate on motive, stating he could not provide one "at this point."

DC Attorney Jeanine Pirro confirmed the suspect faces two formal counts, concluding: "The defendant will be arraigned on Monday in federal district court."

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