AG Blanche links WHCD shooter to Trump administration plot, says motive still 'couple of days' away

WASHINGTON, DC: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Sunday, April 26, that investigators believe the suspect behind the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner was likely targeting administration officials, though authorities are still working to establish a motive.

The incident triggered an immediate security response after the suspect allegedly breached the event perimeter with a weapon. Blanche said the findings remain preliminary and formal charges are expected in Washington, DC, on Monday.

Todd Blanche says motive still under investigation 

Speaking on NBC News' 'Meet the Press', Blanche said federal investigators are still piecing together the motive behind the attack and cautioned against drawing early conclusions.

“We're still investigating a motive, and that's something that will necessarily take a couple of days at least,” Blanche said. “We believe he was targeting administration officials in this attack, attempted attack, but that's again, quite preliminary.”

Blanche said those officials “likely” included President Donald Trump, though he stressed investigators were still reviewing evidence before making any definitive determination.

The suspect has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, according to a federal official familiar with the investigation. Authorities said Allen had no prior criminal record and was previously unknown to Washington law enforcement.

Investigators believe Allen traveled cross-country by train, first from Los Angeles to Chicago and then from Chicago to Washington, before checking into the hotel hosting the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Officials are also examining reports that the suspect may have assembled the weapon inside the hotel before the incident unfolded.

Blanche said investigators are retracing the suspect’s movements and communications to determine intent and whether any broader plan was involved. Federal prosecutors are expected to formally charge Allen in DC as early as Monday.

Security response under review 

The shooting has renewed scrutiny over event security and how the suspect was able to get inside the perimeter armed.

Blanche said the suspect “didn't get very far” before law enforcement intervened. “He barely broke the perimeter,” Blanche said. “And by barely, I mean by a few feet.”

According to officials, the suspect exchanged gunfire with Secret Service personnel before being taken into custody. One Secret Service officer was injured during the confrontation and taken to the hospital, where he was later stabilized and released.

President Donald Trump addressed the officer’s condition after the incident, saying the agent was “in very great shape” and credited the officer’s ballistic vest for limiting injuries.

Secret Service Director Sean Curran said the agency’s response demonstrated the effectiveness of its layered security strategy.

“Tonight we saw exactly what our brave men and women do each and every day to protect our protectees,” Curran said in a statement. “I'm grateful to our partners who help assist us with building these sites and protecting these sites.”