‘Taken offsite’: Who was the shooter at Trump’s White House dinner? First image emerges

US President Donald Trump was evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after shots were fired at the event on Friday.The suspect – identified as a 30-year-old male from California – has been taken into custody by the United States Secret Service. News agency Associated Press reported that gunman’s name is Cole Tomas Allen.

Trump shared CCTV footage of the incident, showing the suspect rushing toward the event as security officers took positions.He also shared an image of the gunman after he was apprehended by officials.In the image, the suspect is seen lying on the ground, surrounded by security personnel.Quoting sources familiar with the situation, Fox News reported that the individual attempted to get through security screening with a gun but was stopped by the Secret Service before entering the ballroom. The suspect has since been taken “offsite.”“The shooter charged the magnetometer closest to the front door… and took a shot at a Secret Service member at the ballroom,” a Fox news journalist described what he was told directly from top White House officials.Also read: Donald Trump evacuated after shots fired during White House Correspondents’ DinnerTrump, in a Truth Social post, said that the “shooter” has been apprehended while praising law enforcement. He urged for the event to go on.“Quite an evening in DC Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we “LET THE SHOW GO ON” but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement.”They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again,” Trump said in his Truth Social post.Meanwhile the secret service said that it is investigating incident in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department“The US Secret Service, in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department, is investigating a shooting incident near the main magnetometer screening area at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The president and the first lady are safe along all protectees. One individual is in custody. The condition of those involved is not yet known, and law enforcement is actively assessing the situation,” the agency in social media post on X said.Attendees from the head table were moved down the hall as agents worked to determine whether there were any additional threats. Officials have since indicated there are no ongoing threats, and the building is not being evacuated.However, the outlet also reported that Trump never left the Correspondents’ Dinner venue and remained nearby following the security scare.He was moved to a secure holding area as a precaution and “wants the show to go on,” Fox News reported.