The U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro,, said the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, will be charged with two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and a second crime of assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
In a press briefing shortly after the attack, President Trump said, My impression is he was a lone wolf whack job. These are crazy people.”
He continued, “I saw a room that was just totally unified. It was, in one way, very beautiful, a very beautiful thing. To see a man charge a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of the Secret Service, and they acted very quickly. It is always shocking when something like this happens.”
Gunman’s ‘motive’ behind assassination attempt on Donald Trump
Acting Attorney General Todd Blancche told the press that investigators believe he traveled by train from California to Chicago before arriving in Washington. He had checked into the Washington Hilton just days before the dinner.
“It does appear that he did in fact set out to target folks who work in the administration, likely including the president,” Blanche said, adding that the suspect is not cooperating with investigators.
“He failed. Law enforcement did their jobs,” he continued.
Per CBS News, quoting a senior US official, Cole Tomas Allen was a part of a group called The Wide Awakes. He also attended a No Kings protest in California.
“Intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could”
Moreover, United States Attorney Jeanine Pirro painted a chilling picture of what the suspect was planning to do.
“It is clear, based upon what we know so far, this individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could;” she said. “There will be many more charges based upon the information that we are learning in this very fluid situation.”
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