- Questions raised on security arrangements, dinner will be held again in 30 days
Washington. There was a stir in Washington DC due to the firing outside the venue during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday evening. President Donald Trump, who was present at this high-profile event organized amid tight security, was immediately taken to a safe place by Secret Service agents.
One agent was injured in the incident, although he survived because he was wearing a bulletproof vest. The annual event was held in the ballroom of the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the President, First Lady Melania Trump, the Vice President and Cabinet members were already present. As soon as the sound of firing was heard, there was chaos and people hid behind their tables. Agents immediately surrounded the area and evacuated the President.
According to journalists present at the scene, five to eight gunshots were heard near the entrance of the ballroom. Officials said the suspect was taken into custody at the scene. He has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen, who was reportedly a guest at the hotel. He has multiple prior criminal convictions, including gun violence and assault on a federal officer.
Addressing the White House briefing room about 30 minutes after the incident, President Trump said that this attack is not just on a program, but also on freedom of expression and democratic values. He said that America has faced such attacks before and the country will have to remain united and deal with the challenges.
Trump praised the federal agencies and security forces and said that due to their alertness, a major disaster was averted. He also indicated that the security system needs to be further strengthened. Questioning the security of the Washington Hilton Hotel, he said that the new ballroom proposed in the White House will be more secure, with drone-proof and bullet-proof arrangements.
The President appealed to the countrymen to resolve mutual differences peacefully and stay away from violence. Meanwhile, White House Correspondents’ Dinner chairwoman Weijia Jiang expressed relief that everyone was safe and announced that the event would be held again within the next 30 days.
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