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Authorities have identified the suspect in the shooting that occurred this Saturday during the White House Correspondents' Dinner as a 30-year-old man originally from California, according to multiple law enforcement sources cited by journalist John Miller.
The incident occurred on Saturday night at the Washington Hilton in Washington D.C., minutes after the start of the event, when between five and eight shots were heard near the main area of metal detectors, at the entrance of the hotel.
Trump posted a photo on Truth Social of the suspect after being arrested.
Shortly after, the shooter was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old man.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were immediately evacuated by the Secret Service without sustaining any injuries.
The attendees dropped to the ground and the area was completely evacuated after the gunfire, while the National Guard was deployed around the hotel.
Anthony Guglielmi, head of communications for the Secret Service, officially confirmed the arrest and ongoing investigation: "The United States Secret Service, in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department, is investigating a shooting that occurred near the main control area with metal detectors. One person is in custody. The condition of those involved is still unknown."
The FBI also confirmed that the suspect was in custody and that the investigation was ongoing.
At the time of the initial reports, the suspect's full identity and motivations had not been publicly disclosed by the authorities.
The Good Morning America program corrected initial erroneous reports that indicated the suspect had died, .
The event was canceled that night for security protocols, bringing an end to an evening that was already historically significant: it was the first time Trump participated in the Correspondents' Dinner during his second term, having refused to attend during all the years of his first presidential term.
After the incident, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social praising the performance of the security forces: "What a night we’ve had in Washington DC. The Secret Service and the police have done a fantastic job. They acted swiftly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended."
This incident is the first of its kind recorded in the modern history of the dinner, an annual event that brings together journalists, political figures, and celebrities, and is known as the night when Washington laughs at itself.
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