On Sunday, President Donald Trump alleged that the individual suspected of carrying out the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner was driven by an intense animosity towards Christians. This assertion was based on a manifesto and information gathered by authorities following the event.
In a phone interview with Fox News, Trump characterized the attacker as a "very troubled person," emphasizing that the motives behind the attack were rooted in radical religious beliefs.
"When you read his manifesto, it's clear he despises Christians. That's for sure. It's a strong, anti-Christian hatred," the president declared.
Trump also suggested the suspect's family bore some responsibility: "His family was aware of his issues. Maybe they should have reported him more decisively. It's probably tough to do, I suppose, but it's a very, very bad situation."
The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, stormed the Secret Service security checkpoint around 8:36 p.m. on Saturday, firing between five and eight rounds in the Washington Hilton's lobby before being subdued and captured.
Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives at the time of his arrest.
A Secret Service agent sustained an injury from a bullet that was stopped by his bulletproof vest, and he is expected to make a full recovery.
No civilians were harmed or killed during the incident, which forced the interruption of the traditional gala dinner attended by about 2,600 guests.
Trump was evacuated along with First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other high-ranking officials such as Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, and Tulsi Gabbard, all of whom were unharmed.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told NBC that the suspect likely targeted Trump and other top government officials, based on an analysis of his electronic devices.
However, Blanche was more reserved than Trump regarding the motive, noting that the investigation was only 24 hours old and the official motive was still under review.
According to CBS News sources, Allen stated after his arrest that he intended to shoot Trump administration officials, with his manifesto "clearly stating his intention to attack administration officials."
His social media accounts contained an abundance of anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric.
Allen traveled by train from Los Angeles to Washington D.C., stopping in Chicago, and stayed at the event's hotel one or two days before the attack.
His brother alerted police in Connecticut about the manifesto Allen had sent to the family before the shooting.
Federal Prosecutor for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, announced formal charges against Allen: two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and one for assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, with more charges pending.
The suspect is under hospital custody for psychiatric evaluation and is not cooperating with authorities.
This incident marks the third attempted attack on Trump in less than two years, an unprecedented figure in U.S. presidential history. Allen is scheduled to appear before a federal court in the District of Columbia on Monday to face formal charges.
Key Questions About the White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting
What motivated the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting?
According to President Trump, the suspect was motivated by a strong anti-Christian sentiment, as revealed in his manifesto. However, the investigation is still ongoing to confirm the official motive.
Who is the suspect in the shooting incident?
The suspect is identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old resident of Torrance, California. He was armed and apprehended shortly after the incident.
Were there any injuries during the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting?
A Secret Service agent was injured, but the bullet was stopped by his bulletproof vest, and he is expected to recover completely. No civilians were harmed.