How events unfolded, as Trump says attackers go after ‘big names’
It has been over 10 hours since shots were fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington DC. Here’s a recap of how the evening unfolded:
Donald Trump was quickly escorted to safety by the Secret Service, as attendees sheltered under tables and journalists began reporting from the room. Here’s aย timeline of eventsย and a description ofย what this annual dinner actually is
Asked why several attempts have been made on his life, Trump told reporters that attackers go after theย “big names”ย who have made “the biggest impact”. He said heย “fought like hell”ย to stay at the event, but ultimately followed advice and returned to the White House
The suspect has been identified by US media as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California –ย here’s a profile. Trump shared an image of a man he says is the gunman laying on the ground shirtless after being detained by security
The BBC’s US partner CBS News reports that the suspect told authorities he wasย targeting Trump officials. Police say the motive remains unknown. He is expected to be formally charged in court onย two countsย on Monday
Questions have been raised about security at the event. “No one looked at my ID,”ย says BBC correspondent Gary O’Donoghueย who was at the scene
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