Arabic version: مشتبه به في إطلاق النار استهدف ترامب في عشاء مراسلي البيت الأبيض
A shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has raised serious concerns about security at high-profile events. US President Donald Trump and his officials were considered the “likely” targets of a suspected gunman, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, according to BBC News. Allen was arrested after allegedly opening fire near a security checkpoint during the event held at a Washington DC hotel on Saturday.
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the motive behind the shooting is still under investigation, but preliminary findings indicate that Allen aimed to target administration officials. The FBI’s criminal division and terrorism task-force are actively investigating the incident. Following the chaos, Trump expressed gratitude towards the Secret Service for their swift action, which he credited with protecting numerous attendees.
The shooting occurred around 20:35 local time, prompting immediate evacuation procedures. Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice-President JD Vance were quickly escorted to safety as gunfire erupted in the foyer of the Washington Hilton hotel. Video footage showed Secret Service agents rushing Vance from the room just moments before Trump was also evacuated, leading to questions about the timing of the responses.
In a subsequent interview, Trump remarked on the gravity of the situation, stating that he initially wanted to assess what was happening before following security instructions to take cover. He revealed that Allen had a manifesto and had expressed deep-seated hatred prior to the attack. His family alerted authorities after receiving concerning writings from him.
Law enforcement exchanged fire with the suspect, who was not injured but was taken to the hospital for evaluation. He was found in possession of two firearms and knives. Investigators are sifting through Allen’s writings, which reportedly indicated a desire to specifically target administration officials. After the incident, Trump called for peaceful resolution of differences, while also advocating for the construction of a new ballroom at the White House as a security measure.
The attack elicited widespread condemnation from world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who expressed relief that those present were unharmed. This incident marks a troubling moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding safety at public events involving government officials.
