By Lawrence Odoom/Phalonzy
President Donald Trump and scores of attendees were swiftly evacuated on Saturday night after gunfire erupted outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Authorities have confirmed the president is safe and a suspect is in custody.
The alleged gunman, identified by law enforcement as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, was subdued by Secret Service agents near the venue where President Trump and senior officials had assembled, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
Public records indicate Allen worked as a teacher and video game developer in Southern California, CNN reported.
According to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, who was at the scene, the shooting unfolded on the floor directly above the ballroom hosting the dinner. Blitzer recounted that he was mere feet from the gunman when a police officer forced him to the ground to shield him from harm.
“A guy with a very, very serious weapon starts shooting. I happened to be a few feet away from him,” Blitzer said, adding that the shooter was shooting randomly.
“I’m guessing I heard at least half a dozen gunshots. … They were so loud,” he said.
Authorities disclosed that the assailant discharged rounds inside the hotel before being apprehended by the Secret Service.
President Trump commended the rapid response of security personnel in a post on Truth Social.
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely,” Trump said.
The president provided further details on the shooter during a press conference at the White House.