Suspected gunman armed with 'multiple weapons' identified as Trump calls him 'lone wolf whack job'

A gunman armed with “multiple weapons” who tried to charge a Washington dinner attended by Donald Trump was “a lone wolf whack job”, according to the US president. The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner erupted into chaos on Saturday night as Trump , who has been the previous target of an assassination attempt, was swiftly evacuated by secret service agents. One officer, who was shot but protected by his bulletproof vest, was taken to hospital. The suspect, said to have been carrying a shotgun and handgun, has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California. It is understood he was a guest in the Washington Hilton hotel where the event was being held. He faces charges including assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but acting attorney general Todd Blanche said additional charges will be filed. Trump gave an address to the media following the shooting and has posted pictures on his Truth Social platform of the suspected shooter handcuffed on the ground. Mr Trump said: “My impression is he was a lone wolf whack job. These are crazy people.” The US president praised the work of the secret service and added that the suspected gunman was not close to breaching the ballroom where he sat on stage at the time of the incident. He added: “I saw a room that was just totally unified. It was, in one way, very beautiful, a very beautiful thing. “To see a man charge a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of secret service, and they acted very quickly.” He added: “It is always shocking when something like this happens.” Washington mayor Muriel Bowser said she had “no reason” to believe anyone else was involved. Mr Blanche said: “Tonight you saw the very worst and the very best of this country. You saw the very worst by the actions of that coward… but you also saw the very best because you saw law enforcement do exactly what they’re supposed to do. “I promise you justice will be served.” Trump added that the event would be rescheduled in the next 30 days. The Washington Hilton has been the location of a previous attempted presidential assassination when then president Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr outside the hotel in 1981. It led to security being ramped up at the property.