Gunfire outside Trump’s dinner event, youth detained
World News Desk
নিউজওয়ান২৪
প্রকাশিত : ১২:২৫ পিএম, ২৬ এপ্রিল ২০২৬ রোববার
Collected photo
A horrific armed attack took place at the "White House Correspondents' Dinner" held at the renowned Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. The situation was brought under control through prompt police intervention and a Secret Service operation after an assailant, carrying multiple lethal weapons, attempted to breach the security perimeter.
Law enforcement identified and detained the attacker as Cole Thomas Allen, a 31-year-old resident of California. According to CNN, Allen launched a sudden attack on a security checkpoint at the venue while armed with several firearms.
The D.C. Police Chief stated that the suspect is believed to have been a guest at the hotel. During a press conference on Saturday evening, Jeffrey Carroll, Interim Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, said, "Based on preliminary information, we believe he was a guest at this hotel. We have secured a room in the hotel and, again, we will follow due process to determine what was inside."
Carroll added that police believe the suspect acted alone.
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, announced that the detained youth will be charged with using a firearm in a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. President Donald Trump shared a photo of the suspect, Allen, on his social media platform, "Truth Social."
President Donald Trump and top officials of his administration were on stage at the time of the incident. Immediately upon hearing the gunshots, Secret Service agents escorted the President to a secure location. The administration confirmed that the President and his cabinet members remain completely unharmed and safe.
Veteran CNN journalist Wolf Blitzer, who was just outside the ballroom during the incident, reported seeing the gunman fire shots from only a few feet away. According to his account, extreme panic spread among the guests as the shooting began, and everyone started running for cover.
One U.S. Secret Service agent was injured in the confrontation. According to sources, although the bullet struck his protective gear or bulletproof vest, he sustained serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.
The White House stated in a briefing that the situation is being closely monitored and hotel security has been further strengthened. The Washington Police and the FBI are jointly investigating the motive behind the attack.
Newsone24.com/Gazi
