U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that "the shooter has been apprehended" in connection with a shooting incident that occurred at a White House correspondents' dinner event.
Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that "the Secret Service and law enforcement authorities responded brilliantly." He added, "They acted swiftly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended."
He continued, "I proposed continuing the event, but the final decision will rest with law enforcement authorities," adding that "a decision will be made soon." He also said, "Regardless of the conclusion, tonight's schedule will inevitably differ greatly from what was originally planned," noting that "this event will ultimately have to be held again."
According to major foreign news outlets, a loud blast was heard inside the venue while Trump was attending the dinner hosted by the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. The president and key figures seated at the head table on stage immediately ducked down and were swiftly moved to safety.
Right after the blast, security personnel shouted "Get down" while controlling the scene, and Trump left the venue immediately under protective measures.
Meanwhile, Trump explained at a press conference that the suspect was from California and had charged toward a security checkpoint while carrying multiple weapons. The New York Times (NYT), citing an anonymous official, reported that the suspect is believed to be Cole Thomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California.
When asked whether he believed the attack was connected to Iran, Trump responded, "That seems unlikely. We'll see how it unfolds."
