A 31-year-old man armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives disrupted the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, allegedly targeting members of the Trump administration, officials said [1]. President Trump was hastily evacuated after shots were fired outside the hotel ballroom where the event took place [1].
Officials believe the suspect traveled from California to Chicago and then Washington before checking into the hotel on Friday, according to Todd Blanche, who confirmed the suspect "appears to have checked into the hotel" shortly before the incident [1]. Blanche told ABC's "This Week" and CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday that "the system worked" and that "law enforcement and the Secret Service protected all of us," adding that "the man barely got past the perimeter" [1].
The suspect is not cooperating with investigators, and his motive remains under investigation [1]. A manifesto left behind by the suspect allegedly outlined a plan to target officials "from highest-ranking to lowest," sources said [1].
President Trump described the gunman as "a very troubled guy" who had "a lot of hatred in his heart for quite a while" during an interview on Fox News' "Sunday Briefing" [1]. His interview on CBS' "60 Minutes" was scheduled to air Sunday evening [1].
Authorities expect the suspect to be formally charged on Monday. Possible charges include assault on a federal officer and use of a firearm during a crime of violence [1]. Security officials praised the rapid response that prevented the attacker from reaching attendees inside the event.
The incident raised security concerns as details continue to emerge. Charging proceedings are anticipated to begin early this week as investigators work to determine the full extent of the suspect's plans and affiliations [1].