WASHINGTON, DC — A 31-year-old man from California is in custody after he allegedly charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons and opened fire near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, on Saturday night.
President Donald Trump was rushed off the stage during the event but remained safe along with members of his Cabinet, according to reports from the scene.
The suspect will face charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced.
Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as a California resident, though further details about his background were not immediately released.
CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, who was outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton, witnessed the gunman opening fire just a few feet away. He and dozens of other attendees quickly took cover as security personnel responded swiftly.
A US Secret Service agent was shot while wearing protective gear and has been taken to hospital for treatment, sources familiar with the incident confirmed.
President Trump addressed the moment briefly, describing how the armed suspect attempted to breach security before shots rang out.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a possible motive for the attack.
NaijaChoice News gathered that the incident caused panic inside the venue but was quickly contained by law enforcement.
No other injuries were reported among the high-profile guests at the annual dinner.
The swift response by security teams prevented what could have been a more serious situation at the high-security event.
The arrest of the suspect and ongoing investigation underscore the constant security challenges surrounding major political gatherings in the United States.
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