A suspect arrested over a shooting incident at a high-profile media gala attended by United States President Donald Trump is expected to be arraigned in court on Monday, federal prosecutors have said.
The incident occurred on Saturday at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner held at the Washington Hilton, where gunfire near a security checkpoint caused panic and led to the evacuation of guests, including top government officials and journalists.
The US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, confirmed that the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California, would appear before a district judge.
According to prosecutors, Allen is expected to face charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, with additional counts likely as investigations continue.
Authorities said the suspect exchanged gunfire with Secret Service agents during the incident, while one officer was struck but survived after the bullet hit a protective vest.
President Trump was swiftly evacuated from the venue and later addressed the situation, saying it would not affect ongoing US military operations abroad.
“It’s not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran,” he said, while adding that investigators were still working to determine the motive.
“You never know,” the president noted, describing the suspect as a “lone wolf.”
The shooting has heightened concerns about security at major public events in Washington, especially those involving senior officials.
In a related development, Trump confirmed the cancellation of a planned trip by US envoys to Pakistan for talks linked to tensions with Iran, citing dissatisfaction with Tehran’s position.