During the annual White House Correspondents’ event in Washington, the suspect who opened fire has been identified.
According to a report by CNN, the 31-year-old suspect involved in the incident has been named Cole Thomas Allen, a resident of the U.S. state of California.
CNN reports that the accused is from the Torrance area near Los Angeles. He was taken into custody while running toward the ballroom of the Washington Hilton Hotel and firing shots, but security officers present at the scene acted swiftly and stopped him in time.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in an update that the suspect is currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital and remains under strict police supervision.
In this regard, Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that legal proceedings against the suspect are moving forward rapidly and formal charges will be filed very soon.
According to authorities, the suspect will face charges including firing a weapon, illegal possession of arms, and other serious offenses.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has shared the suspect’s image and security camera footage on social media, showing the moment the shooting began, in an effort to maintain transparency.
President Trump said he is making this information public to ensure there is no ambiguity regarding the incident.
Investigative agencies are now examining the motives behind the suspect’s actions and whether he had any links to an organization or acted alone.
For now, the suspect remains in police custody and will be transferred to jail once discharged from the hospital.