Investigators say the gunman who attempted to force his way through a security checkpoint and opened fire outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was aiming to reach and attack government officials attending the event.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, told police he intended to target “administration officials” inside the gala at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., according to sources cited by The New York Post. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that assessment in comments to NBC News.

Authorities said Allen did not appear to be targeting a specific individual, and it remains unclear whether President Donald Trump himself was a direct target.

“He was trying to just breach his way in and take whoever he could,” one law enforcement source told The NY Post.

Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn said the suspect was attempting to carry out a “national tragedy” at a time when attention was focused on the high-profile dinner.

“[Allen] underestimated the protective capabilities of the U.S. Secret Service, and was stopped at first contact. The strength of our layered security posture was evident, with a myriad of countermeasures ahead,” he wrote in a statement.

Allen, identified by officials as a Caltech-educated teacher from Torrance, California, is accused of charging a security checkpoint armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives before being subdued.

The gunfire broke out shortly after 8:30 p.m., roughly 20 minutes after President Trump and first lady Melania Trump had taken their seats at the event.

Officials have not yet publicly identified a clear motive for the attack.

Trump said he does not believe the incident was connected to the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict involving Iran.

“It’s not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran. I don’t know if that had anything to do with it. I really don’t think so, based on what we know,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Saturday evening.

During the exchange, a Secret Service agent was struck in the vest by gunfire. The agent was transported to a hospital and is in “great spirits,” Trump said during a press conference later that night.

According to Jeanine Pirro, Allen has been charged with using a firearm during a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer.

Authorities said the suspect attempted to push his way into a ballroom hosting approximately 2,500 attendees, including the president, Vice President JD Vance, cabinet members, and members of the media.

Secret Service personnel quickly removed the president and first lady from the area, while guests inside the ballroom took cover under tables.

Officials said Allen had secured a room at the hotel and brought multiple weapons inside. A volunteer told The New York Post that they observed him assembling a long weapon “in [an] unsecured room” before running toward the ballroom.

Law enforcement recovered a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives from the suspect at the scene.

Sources told ABC 7 that Allen had traveled from California, stopping in Chicago before making his way to Washington.

Trump described the attacker as a “sick” individual and praised the rapid response by security personnel.

The suspect was quickly subdued in the hotel lobby by Secret Service agents and removed from the scene in an ambulance.

Trump said the White House Correspondents’ Dinner will be rescheduled within the next 30 days.

{Matzav.com}