President Donald Trump and senior members of his administration were the likely targets of a suspect who opened fire on a security agent guarding the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Sunday.
According to officials, the suspect fired a shotgun at a Secret Service officer at a security checkpoint inside the Washington Hilton hotel before being tackled and arrested. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were immediately rushed out of the event.
Blanche told NBC News that investigators believe the suspect had intended to target administration officials, likely including the President. He added that the suspect had reportedly travelled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then to Washington.
The suspect is expected to face federal charges including assaulting a federal officer, discharging a firearm, and attempted murder of a federal officer. Authorities said investigations are continuing into the motive behind the attack.
Trump later told reporters that he believed he was the intended target, while confirming that the injured Secret Service officer had been protected by a bulletproof vest and was in good condition.
Leaders around the world condemned the attack and expressed relief that Trump and other attendees were safe. Mark Rutte described the incident as an attack on free and open societies, while several governments stressed that violence has no place in democracy.
The annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, one of Washington’s most high-profile political and media gatherings, was attended by Cabinet members, senior officials, journalists, and invited guests when the security scare unfolded.
