White House dinner shooter likely targeting Trump officials

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Senior US government officials, including the president, were the likely targets of a shooter who tried to storm an event attended by Donald Trump on Saturday evening. More than 2,000 people were crammed into the ballroom of the Washington Hilton for the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner when a man tried to enter, armed with a shotgun, handgun and several knives. An officer wearing a protective vest was struck by a bullet but has been discharged from hospital. The suspect, who was apprehended at the scene, has been named as Cole Allen, a 31-year-old from California, who is believed to have checked in as a guest at the hotel a few days before the event. He is due to face charges in a federal court today. While authorities have yet to confirm a motive, investigators are examining a manifesto suggesting that the suspect intended to target Trump administration officials.