Authorities have identified the man arrested following a gunfire incident at a Washington hotel hosting the White House Correspondents’ Dinner as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen.
The suspect, a resident of Torrance in the Los Angeles area, was detained by security personnel inside the Washington Hilton shortly after shots were reported on Saturday night.
According to law enforcement sources cited by CBS, Allen told officials he intended to target members of the administration of Donald Trump. However, authorities have emphasized that the motive is still under active investigation.
In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said preliminary findings suggest the suspect may have been aiming at government officials, “likely” including the president.
Officials stated that the suspect was apprehended quickly and did not breach key security zones. Blanche noted that the individual “barely broke the perimeter,” indicating that the situation was contained before it could escalate further.
Investigators are also examining reports that the weapon may have been assembled inside the hotel.
Authorities believe the suspect traveled across the country by train, moving from Los Angeles to Chicago and then onward to Washington DC prior to the incident.
The case remains under investigation as federal agencies continue to assess the suspect’s intentions, movements, and potential connections. Security measures at high-profile events remain under heightened scrutiny following the incident.
