Secret Service agents fired five shots at the man who tried to assassinate Donald Trump but failed to hit him and may have accidentally struck one of their own, the acting attorney general revealed.
Todd Blanche told reporters Monday that agents subdued alleged gunman Cole Tomas Allen, 31, only after he tripped and fell while breaching a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
‘One Secret Service officer was shot in the chest, but was wearing a ballistic vest that worked,’ the acting Attorney General said.
‘This heroic officer who was hit, fired five times at Allen, who was not shot, but fell to the ground and was promptly arrested.’
When asked whether Allen fired the shot that hit the agent, Blanche said he couldn’t confirm it and that the forensic analysis is still ongoing.
‘We want to get that right. So we’re still looking at that,’ he added.
The officer did not suffer serious injuries because he was wearing a bulletproof vest, Blanche confirmed.
Despite missing every shot, Blanche praised the Secret Service: ‘Law enforcement did not fail. They did exactly what they are trained to do.’
Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed Secret Service fired five shots at Cole Tomas Allen but missed him
Allen was charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump in a DC federal court on Thursday
Trump was escorted out of the ballroom by security personnel after shots rang out
The Justice Department accused Allen of three federal charges including attempting to assassinate the President of the United States. If convicted, Allen faces the possibility of life in prison.
Allen traveled by train from Los Angeles to Washington and checked into the Hilton Hotel hosting the dinner before it began.
He rushed past a Secret Service screening area armed with a shotgun, a handgun and knives, according to law enforcement.
He was apprehended on a floor above the reception, though had he been able to continue down just one additional flight of stairs, he could’ve breached the dining hall where Trump and his top officials were dining.
Allen is also facing a second charge on transportation of a firearm in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony.
The third charge is using a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a minimum of 10 years, as well as the possibility of life imprisonment if prosecutors can prove the weapon was discharged.
Allen is being represented by court-appointed attorneys. He said he has no drugs in his system when asked by federal Judge Matthew J Sharpe.
According to a manifesto he sent to family members moments before his planned attack, Allen was attempting to take out the President and members of his inner circle.
According to the New York Post, Allen’s manifesto read: ‘Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I’m not the person raped in a detention camp. I’m not the fisherman executed without trial.’
Allen rushed past a Secret Service screening area armed with a shotgun, a handgun and knives, according to law enforcement
If convicted, Allen faces the possibility of life in prison
After being evacuated to the White House following the gunfire, Trump noted that the hotel was not a particularly secure venue.
Trump said he intends to return to the dinner, though it remains unclear whether the event will resume.
Allen’s next court appearance is set for Thursday.
