Trump recounts ‘shocking’ moment he heard gunshots at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump pulled back the curtain on the “shocking” moment when gunfire erupted near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on Saturday, April 25.

"I thought it was a tray going down," he recalled during a press conference. "But it was a gun."

"It was very quick," Trump added. "There wasn't a lot of time to be thinking, because it was a matter of seconds before we were out the door."

The POTUS, first lady Melania Trump, and members of his cabinet were swiftly evacuated as shots rang out near the event’s security perimeter, sending attendees ducking for cover inside the Washington Hilton.

Trump had been scheduled to deliver traditional remarks later that evening at the annual dinner, but that was scrapped, and the event has been postponed.

Cole Tomas Allen identified as suspect, charges mount 

Authorities quickly subdued the alleged gunman. Images from the scene showed a shirtless suspect sprawled face down on the hotel floor after being taken into custody.

Authorities identified him as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old teacher from Torrance, California. Investigators say he opened fire near the event’s main security screening area just after 8.30 pm, triggering the lockdown.

“The man has been captured. They're going to his apartment. I guess he lives in California, and he's a sick person," Trump told reporters.

According to interim DC police chief Jeffrey W Carroll, the suspect came heavily armed.

“He was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives as he ran into that checkpoint,“ Carroll said. “But at this point, it does appear he is a lone actor, a lone gunman. There does not appear to be any sort of danger to the public."

Federal prosecutors are already stacking charges. US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro announced that the suspect will face two counts for using a firearm during a crime of violence and one count for assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.

“The defendant will be arraigned on Monday in federal district court. Make no mistake, there will be many more charges based upon the information that we are learning,” Pirro said.

Suspect and Secret Service agent hospitalized

Officials confirmed that both the suspect and a Secret Service agent were hospitalized following the incident. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said the situation unfolded rapidly at a checkpoint inside the hotel.

“A sole gunman rushed a Secret Service checkpoint in a lobby at the hotel. Secret Service agents stopped the suspect,” said Bowser.

“An agent was injured and transported to a local hospital where the agent is receiving care. The suspect is also transported to a local hospital where he is being evaluated,” she added. “We had no reason to believe at this time that anyone else was involved.”

Despite the scare, authorities emphasized that the threat appears to have been contained to a single individual.

Secret Service Director Sean Curran added that Trump personally reached out after the incident.

“I'm grateful that the president reached out to his officer and spoke with him earlier,” Curran said.