Industry Odisha Bureau, April 26: The suspect, swiftly nabbed and taken into custody by the US Secret Service sleuths yesterday (April 25), soon after the gunshots incident during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, has reportedly been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California.
US President, who was luckily saved from an assassination bid, has reportedly termed the suspect a ‘lone wolf and sick person’ as well as denied any suspected ‘Iran link’, while thorough investigations are on to delve deep into the modus operandi and motive behind the nabbed suspect’s daredevil antics.
US investigators have reportedly slapped multiple federal charges linked to firearms and the attack while attempting to breach a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton.
The attacker was reportedly armed with multiple weapons and fired several rounds before being restrained near the magnetometer checkpoint, a few meters away from the sensitive ballroom, jampacked with VVIPs and media personnel.
As per media reports, the suspect was successfully stopped near the screening area following which he was unable to sneak into the large hotel ballroom graced by President Donald Trump, his cabinet colleagues and hundreds of guests.
The US investigators had not revealed the motive till the filing of this story, but are optimistic of more crucial information emerging from their ongoing probe and grilling of the nabbed suspect.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told media that the prosecutors were preparing a range of charges against the nabbed suspect for committing such a cognisable offence, while the ongoing investigation is expected to hit upon major breakthrough following which the charges slapped could further expand apart from the act of shooting and illegal possession of firearms offences.
Law enforcement officials are also reportedly examining the “suspect’s antecedents, digital footprint and possible affiliations to any ideological, political or personal motivations”.
The US Attorney General also told media that the investigators were working closely with the prime Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) along with the local law enforcement wing.
Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel has reportedly urged the general public to volunteer passing on any further information related to the nabbed suspect and the shooting incident.
Nevertheless, the stunning incident has reportedly left one Secret Service sleuth having sustained injuries after being struck in a bullet-resistant vest, but is expected to recover, since no other grievous injuries have been confirmed.
Notably, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is reportedly graced by senior political leaders, journalists and public figures. It is deemed to be one of the most tightly-secured annual events in the capital city of USA.
