![\"'Put](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130529653,imgsize-1036300,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/pic-40.jpg\" "\\"Cole")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nA White House Correspondents\u2019 Dinner volunteer said the suspected gunman was able to assemble a \u201clong weapon\u201d inside an unsecured, lightly monitored area near a terrace-level entrance before the attack unfolded near the ballroom.The witness, Helen Mabus, a volunteer working the event described a \u201cmakeshift room\u201d near the entrance where bar carts were being stored and where \u201cthere was no security\u201d at the time.\u201cHe was in that room [\u2026] he grabbed it out of a bag or something,\u201d Mabus said, adding that the weapon \u201cwas long\u201d and \u201cdidn\u2019t look like a typical gun,\u201d said Mabus, as quoted by the New York Post.Mabus said the suspect was partially out of view of security as he handled the weapon inside the room before moving toward the main event space. \u201cHe put it together and [\u2026] ran towards the stairs to go down to the ballroom,\u201d she said.The gunman then began firing in multiple directions as guests and staff tried to escape.\u201cIt just seem like he was shooting all over the place,\u201d Mabus said, estimating she heard \u201cat least 10 shots.\u201dShe said the gunfire caused immediate panic, with people \u201cscreaming and running\u201d as armed personnel responded. Mabus said she fled in the opposite direction and did not see the suspect apprehended.The gunman, identified as Cole Allen of Torrance, California, was arrested after allegedly entering the Washington Hilton hotel and moving toward the ballroom where President Trump and about 2,500 guests were gathered.Trump described him as a likely \u201clone wolf whack job\u201d who \u201clooked pretty evil.\u201dThe shooting began just after 8.30 pm near the indoor security screening area, as guests were being served salad. The Secret Service evacuated Trump from the room, while members of his cabinet took cover under tables before being moved out.A law enforcement officer was shot, with the bullet striking his bulletproof vest. \u201cHe was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives as he ran into that checkpoint,\u201d DC police chief Jeffrey Carroll said.\u201cAt this point it does appear he is a lone actor, a lone gunman,\u201d Carroll said. \u201cThere does not appear to be any sort of danger to the public.\u201dAllen was charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and with assault of a federal officer, US attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said Saturday.Dramatic video posted on social media by Trump shows Allen opening fire and rushing toward the ballroom.A LinkedIn profile matching his name and photo described him as a teacher at C2 Education, a tutoring and test prep company. The company awarded him \u201cteacher of the month\u201d in December 2024, according to social media posts.<\/div>\n\n