Gunman Cole Allen details 'insane' lack of security on journey to Washington Hilton in manifesto
WASHINGTON, DC: Ten minutes before the gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD) held at the Washington Hilton, he sent an anti-Trump manifesto to his family, apparently listing why Trump is a bad president.
In the manifesto, which the suspect’s brother submitted to Connecticut police about two hours after the terrifying incident, the gunman had expressed his shock over the lack of security on his cross-country journey to the Washington Hilton.
WHCD shooter mocks low scrutiny during his journey
The gunman in the anti-Trump manifesto mocked what he described as “nothing” in the name of security measures on his way to Washington Hilton.
“Like, I expected security cameras at every bend, bugged hotel rooms, armed agents every 10 feet, metal detectors out the wazoo,” Cole Allen wrote in the manifesto obtained by the New York Post.
“No damn security. Not in transport. Not in the hotel. Not in the event,” he wrote. The 31-year-old teacher also alleged that he observed a “sense of arrogance” about the security situation after arriving at the Washington Hilton.
No one thought about threats from earlier check-ins
“I walk in with multiple weapons and not a single person there considers the possibility that I could be a threat,” he added.
“The security at the event is all outside, focused on protestors and current arrivals, because apparently no one thought about what happens if someone checks in the day before.
“Like, If I was an Iranian agent, instead of an American citizen, I could have brought a damn Ma Deuce in here and no one would have noticed s–t. Actually insane,” Allen wrote, explaining the security situation and invoking a nickname for the M2 Browning .50-calibre machine gun.
Suspect travelled by train to avoid high security
Federal investigators believe Allen traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, by train, with a stop in his native Chicago, the Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on 'Fox News Sunday.'
Blanche speculated that the suspect opted for a train journey to avoid heightened security scrutiny due to a less strenuous security environment on the train than he would have encountered if he travelled by air.
The annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner hosted by White House Correspondents' Association on Saturday, April 25, was rocked by the sound of gunshots, disrupting the event and sending the gathering into chaos.
The horrifying incident occurred around 8:30pm, when the gunman, Cole Allen, engaged in a firefight with security personnel, hitting one of the service agents with a bullet.
The Washington Hilton was later shut down after Secret Service men evacuated all the guests, suspending the event. However, Trump has promised to organize a “bigger, better, nicer” dinner within 30 days.
The gunman was arrested at the incident site, and further investigation is underway.
