Acting Attorney General Todd Branch said Sunday that investigators believe the gunman who tried to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner ballroom was targeting Donald Trump and officials in his administration.“It does appear that he intends to target people who work in government, possibly including the president,” Branch told the outlet.
Law enforcement officials examined the suspect’s electronic devices and writings and initially believed he intended to target government members attending the dinner.He tried to storm the ballroom but was thrown to the ground amid chaotic scenes that led to shots being fired, President Donald Trump being rushed off the stage and guests ducking under tables.Branch said officials believe the suspect took a train from California to Chicago and then to Washington, where he stayed as a guest at the hotel hosting the high-profile event Saturday night.Investigators have not released the suspect’s name, but two law enforcement officials familiar with the matter identified the suspect to The Associated Press as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance. Police also visited Allen’s home in California.Branch said the suspect was believed to be carrying firearms purchased within the past few years. He added that the suspect “has not actively cooperated” with the investigation and is expected to face multiple charges on Monday.“At this point, he is truly a lone actor, a lone shooter,” Washington, D.C., Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll said.
