Federal officials say the man accused of storming the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with multiple weapons was likely targeting members of the Trump administration during Saturday night’s attack at the Washington Hilton.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said investigators believe suspect Cole Tomas Allen intended to attack officials attending the event.
“It does appear that he did in fact set out to target folks who work in the administration, likely including the president,” Blanche said on NBC’s Meet the Press.
Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was seen attempting to rush past a security checkpoint while armed with a shotgun, handgun, and several knives, according to the report.
He exchanged gunfire with U.S. Secret Service agents before being tackled and arrested.
One agent was struck in a bulletproof vest and is expected to recover.
No other injuries were reported.
Authorities said Allen traveled by train from California to Chicago and then to Washington, D.C.
He reportedly checked into the Washington Hilton days before the dinner, suggesting planning before the attack.
Investigators also recovered electronic devices and writings that they believe support the theory that Allen wanted to target administration officials.
Family members reportedly told law enforcement they had received disturbing writings from Allen before the incident.
One relative alerted police.
Another family member said Allen frequently talked about doing “something” to fix problems in the world and had made radical statements in the past.
The report also said Allen regularly visited shooting ranges for firearms training.
A senior U.S. official told CBS News that Allen had ties to a group called The Wide Awakes and had attended a No Kings protest in California.
Authorities also reportedly found anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric on his social media accounts.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner had just begun when gunfire erupted.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed off stage, as the Daily Mail reported.
Vice President J.D. Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and other officials were also evacuated.
Trump later said he initially thought the noise was a tray falling, but Melania immediately recognized it as dangerous.
He described the event as traumatic for her.
Federal prosecutors charged Allen with two firearm counts during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
If convicted, he could face decades in prison, including possible life sentences tied to weapons charges.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said more charges are likely.
“It is clear, based upon what we know so far, this individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could,” Pirro said.
