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The suspected gunman who opened fire outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner has been identified and reportedly told authorities he was targeting officials within President Donald Trump's administration Saturday night (April 25).
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, admitted to targeting "administration officials" at the press gala held inside the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C., according to CBS News, which cited multiple sources with knowledge of the situation. Allen didn't specify whether he was targeting anyone in particular, including Trump, according to the report.
Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn claimed that the shooter attempted to commit a "national tragedy" as the press was focused on the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
"Tonight, a coward attempted to create a national tragedy," Quinn said in a statement shared by the Secret Service. "He underestimated the protective capabilities of the U.S. Secret Service, and was stopped at first contact. The strength of our layered security posture was evident, with a myriad of countermeasures still ahead. Grateful for the brave men and women of the Secret Service and our valued Law Enforcement partners."
Allen, a teacher from Torrance, California, was identified by multiple sources as the man accused of rushing a security checkpoint with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives and opening fire just after 8:30 p.m. local time before being subdued at the Washington, D.C., event. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump made their grand entrance about 20 minutes prior to gunshots erupting.
Officials haven't yet publicly revealed a motive in connection with the shooting. Trump said that he didn't believe the attack was linked to the ongoing war in Iran.
“It’s not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran. I don’t know if that had anything to do with it. I really don’t think so, based on what we know,” Trump told reporters after the incident Saturday night via the New York Post.