(WKYT) – Authorities are still trying to understand the motive behind the shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. More than 2,000 guests, including the president and vice president, were forced to take cover Saturday night.
One Secret Service agent was shot, but no one else was hurt.
Law enforcement officials tell CBS News the suspect is 31-year-old Cole Allen of California and that he wrote a manifesto saying he wanted to target administration officials, “prioritized from highest ranking to lowest.”
Sources say Allen’s brother called the police after receiving a disturbing email from him. On “60 Minutes,” President Trump described the moment Secret Service agents told him and the first lady to get down on the floor as the incident unfolded.
Saturday’s incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is raising security questions, including from security experts in Kentucky. WKYT spoke with James Stephens, a security consultant for Safe-T Sources, who called what happened “disturbing.”
Stephens helps schools and organizations across the state build security plans for large events.
“I wouldn’t say these attacks come as a surprise. They’re expected,” Stephens said.
Stephens said in today’s political climate, security teams have to assume threats and plan accordingly.
He said details are still preliminary, but it appears the suspect may have targeted the president by going after what he calls the weakest link — the magnetometer checkpoint.
He said that’s why security starts long before the first guest arrives, with a layered approach.
“I stayed a week at that hotel. I know the area. I spent a lot of time walking around looking. That individual knew that once he got to the magnetometer, he had to rush through that to have a chance to get into the ballroom. When you look at the video footage, he did exactly that,” Stephens said.
Stephens, a former officer, said it’s concerning the suspect got as far as he did, reaching what he calls the last layer of security.
He said the quick response from agents nearby may have prevented a much worse outcome, given the weapons investigators say were involved.
He urged people to speak up if they see someone becoming isolated or consumed by political rhetoric, saying “see something, say something” can make a difference.
He said no plan is foolproof.
“With those plans, unfortunately, something can still go wrong. That’s why we’ve got to learn to react for the known, prepare for the unknown,” Stephens said.
Stephens said the bottom line is planning ahead and responding fast when someone tests the system.
Kentucky lawmakers react
Kentucky lawmakers are reacting to Saturday night’s shooting.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Congressman Andy Barr said he is grateful for the Secret Service working to protect the president and attendees. His Democratic opponent Charles Booker said the night was meant to celebrate freedom of the press and the gunman threatened that freedom.
Congressman Thomas Massie said there is no room in our country for political violence. Attorney General Russell Coleman said he’s grateful for the safety of President Trump, the first lady and all the attendees.