The man who is alleged to have opened fire in the lobby outside the White House Correspondents Dinner attended by President Trump and other high-level White House officials “told law enforcement, following his arrest, that he wanted to shoot Trump administration officials,” per CBS. This is the first time Trump has attended the annual dinner during either of his two terms in the White House. 

Trump and First Lady Melania were rushed out of the Hilton hotel ballroom as shots rang out a little after 8:30 pm, sending all of those in attendance running for cover. Cole Allen, a teacher from California, is alleged to have stormed the security checkpoint and engaged in gunfire with Secret Service agents, one of whom was injured. Allen was apprehended at the scene and found to have been armed with knives and firearms. 

Five to eight rounds were fired, CBS notes. Additional reporting came from the scene of the incident as so many journalists, pundits and reporters were in the room. After Trump left the hotel, he went straight to the White House briefing room where reporters gathered, still in their finery, to ask questions and get a first hand update on the assassination attempt they had all just witnessed. 

Trump released surveillance video of the shooter as well as photos of Allen, who worked as a teacher in California. Allen was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and is believed to have been working alone. Allen was named Teacher of the Year by his employer C2 Education, a test prep and tutoring service. He was a 2017 graduate of Caltech and went on to earn a masters in computer science. 

Speaking from the White House podium, US Attorney Dana Perino said that Allen faces two charges, using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. Allen will be arraigned in federal court on Monday. Acting AG Todd Blanche said “justice will be served.”