ITV News US Correspondent Dan Rivers reports from Washington DC, as more details of the shooting incident at the Washington Hilton emerge
Donald Trump said he was “not worried” when a gunman opened fire during a White House event in an apparent assassination attempt.
The president and his wife were bundled to safety by Secret Service agents on Saturday evening after shots were fired in the lobby of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
The suspect, identified as teacher Cole Tomas Allen, 31, allegedly sent messages to his family describing himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin”, and voiced grievances about the actions of the US administration.
One security officer was hit but was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to make a full recovery.
Asked how concerned he was about hearing the gunshots, Trump told CBS News: “I wasn’t worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world.”
The US president continued that he had read a manifesto allegedly written by Allen, which showed he was “going through a lot”.
“His brother complained about him and I think reported him to the police. And his sister, likewise, complained about him,” Trump said.
“His family was very concerned. He was probably a pretty sick guy.”
Allen will appear in court on Monday, where he faces a series of charges, including attempting to kill a federal officer.
Todd Blanche, acting leader of the US Justice Department, said on Sunday that it did appear the suspect “set out to target folks who work in the administration, likely including the president”.
During Trump’s CBS News interview, journalist Norah O’Donnell referenced words in Allen’s alleged manifesto: “I am no longer willing to permit a paedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.”
The president responded to the interviewer angrily, reiterating that the suspect was a “sick person” and telling her: “I’m not a rapist. I didn’t rape anybody. I’m not a paedophile.”
Trump is preparing for a visit from King Charles and Queen Camilla on Monday, which will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The trip is still going ahead despite the shooting, following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic.
Charles and Camilla’s first engagement will be a private afternoon tea with Trump and his wife, Melania, followed by a tour of the newly expanded White House Beehive on the South Lawn.
“We are very confident that all appropriate security measures are in place,” Sir Christian Turner, British ambassador to the US, said.
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