Chaos erupted on Saturday night in Washington after a man armed with guns and knives stormed the lobby outside a high-profile journalists' dinner attended by US PresidentDonald Trumpand multiple senior US leaders. Dramatic visuals emerged after the incident where the suspect was seen rushing toward the ballroom before Secret Service agents swarmed him and took him into custody.
The president was uninjured and was hustled away, and the administration confirmed that all key officials, including the First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Cabinet members, are safe and accounted for.
In the aftermath of the event and chaos, attendees were caught snagging wine bottles on their way out. Several videos emerged on social media where journalists and attendees of the high-profile event were caught picking wine and champagne on the way out.
In a video shared by CBS News, guests were seen diving under tables as the chaos unfolded. Audible gasps echoed through the room as attendees realised something was wrong. Journalists were seen reaching for their phones to relay information. Some reported hearing gunshots outside the vast subterranean ballroom at the Washington Hilton, where the event was being held.
“Out of the way, sir!” someone shouted, while others yelled for people to duck.
From one corner, a chant of “God Bless America” began as the president was escorted off stage. Trump briefly stumbled, apparently tripping, before being helped up by Secret Service agents.
Outside the hotel, National Guard personnel and other law enforcement agencies flooded the area, while helicopters circled overhead.
The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California. He is currently in custody.
Also Read:'Guests Dove Under Tables': First-Hand Account Of Shooting Scare At Trump's White House Dinner | WATCH
After the shooting, Trump addressed reporters and called the shooter a "sick person". He also shared CCTV footage appearing to show the suspect running into the hotel ballroom. In the clip, the man runs past the security metal detectors as security agents draw their guns.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
