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A Secret Service officer who was wounded during an attempt to breach the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is “in great shape,” according to President Trump. The incident unfolded Saturday night when a gunman attempted to rush the event.
“One officer was shot, but fortunately, he was protected by a very effective bulletproof vest,” Trump stated during a press conference that evening. He mentioned that the officer was receiving treatment at a local hospital.
“The officer was shot at close range with a powerful weapon, but the vest performed as needed. I just spoke with him, and he’s doing well. His spirits are high,” Trump added.
According to NBC, citing an unnamed source, the officer has since been discharged from the hospital.
Amid the chaos, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were quickly evacuated from the ballroom, along with numerous senior administration officials. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen, allegedly forced his way through a security checkpoint while armed with two guns and several knives, police and sources reported.
The shooting incident occurred approximately 20 minutes after President Trump arrived at the annual gathering held at the Washington Hilton, where more than 2,000 attendees were present.
The black-tie crowd â including Washington journalists, cabinet members and White House aides â scrambled for cover as shots rang out, with some diving under tables and others rushing toward exits.
The panic unfolded in seconds, witnesses said, as Secret Service agents converged on the threat inside the hotel lobby area outside the ballroom.
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Trump said the gunman âwas fast â he was running full blastâ and âcharged from 50 yards away.â
The deranged suspect, a teacher and graduate of Caltech from Torrance, Calif., was quickly confronted and taken down before he could reach the main ballroom.
Police believe Allen may have been staying at the hotel, which hosts the high-profile event each year.
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Investigators are working to determine how he was able to approach the security checkpoint while carrying weapons.
DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the suspect is facing charges including assault on a federal law enforcement officer and two counts of using a firearm to commit violence.
He will be arraigned Monday in federal court, she said, adding that additional charges are likely as the investigation continues.
FBI agents and local police visited an address in Torrance believed to be connected to the alleged gunman.
Aerial footage showed a heavy law enforcement presence surrounding the property as investigators gathered evidence.
Trump praised law enforcement for acting quickly as he revealed what happened on social media.
âQuite an evening in DC, Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely,â Trump wrote on Truth Social.
âThe shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we âLET THE SHOW GO ON,â but will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement,â he added.
