The gunman who opened fire outside the main ballroom of the White House correspondents’ dinner is currently believed to be a guest at the Washington Hilton, the hotel where the event was being held.
On Saturday night, a gunman charged a security checkpoint and shot a Secret Service agent in the lobby of the hotel, before being apprehended. The shooting led to Trump administration officials and their families to be frantically escorted out of the ballroom, as well as thousands of attendees taking cover below tables. The annual dinner was later canceled and will be rescheduled.
D.C. Police chief Jeff Carroll revealed new details about the shooting in a press conference on Saturday night, alongside U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, Mayor Muriel Bowser, and FBI and Secret Service officials.
The male suspect, photos of whom have been released by President Donald Trump, charged the security checkpoint, shooting the agent with a shotgun. Agents then discharged their weapons and pursued the suspect, exchanging gunfire and later tackling and handcuffing him.
The Secret Service agent was wearing a protective vest and was hospitalized. He is in “good spirits,” according to Carroll. The gunman was not struck by gunfire but was also hospitalized.
Agents found on the suspect the shotgun, one handgun, and “multiple” knives. He is also believed to be a guest at the hotel and a room in the hotel has now been secured, Carroll said.
Pirro said the suspect is facing two charges, specifically using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer.
MAN CHARGED SECURITY CHECKPOINT AND SHOT SECRET SERVICE AT WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER: TRUMP
They all declined to name the suspect, but Trump said at an earlier press conference that he was from California.
Carroll also said it is unclear whether the suspect was “targeting” Trump, though he acknowledged the president’s presence at the event at the time of the shooting.