The gunman who opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night has been identified as Cole Allen of Torrance, Calif.
The 31-year-old, who federal law enforcement source confirmed is a teacher, was in custody after gunfire broke out near the event’s main security screening area just after 8:30 p.m.
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Allen appeared to assemble a “long” weapon in a lightly monitored area near the terrace-level entrancebefore opening fire and rushing toward the ballroom.
A described a “makeshift room” near the entrance where bar carts were being stored and where “there was no security” at the time.
“He was in that room […] he grabbed it out of a bag or something,” said witness Helen Mabus, a volunteer working the event, adding that the weapon “was long” and “didn’t look like a typical gun.”
Witnesses described a frantic scene inside the venue after seven to eight shots were fired.Attendees dove under tables as confusion spread. One journalist said guests “crawled under our table for what felt like a long time.”
President Donald Trump praised law enforcement for acting quickly.
“Quite an evening in DC Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, where he posted a photo of the suspect.
“The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON,’ but will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement,” he added.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
