An Australian journalist who attended the high-profile White House Correspondents' Dinner, which was interrupted by an alleged shooter, has revealed the limited security in place at the event.
Security Lapses Exposed
Guests had just taken their seats at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, local time, when Secret Service agents surged into the ballroom, shouting for people to 'get down'. US President Donald Trump, his wife Melania and senior cabinet members were swiftly and safely escorted out of the venue.
Surveillance video from the incident shows a figure sprinting past a security checkpoint and attempting to reach the doors to the ballroom.
ABC News' Americas editor John Lyons was at the event, which is an annual gala that brings together journalists, politicians, and celebrities in Washington DC. He told colleagues in Australia that he was 'shocked' by the security process.
'The security here at the Washington Hilton was less than the security you would face at Sydney or Melbourne or Brisbane airports,' he said. 'All you needed was this little yellow ticket to get yourself downstairs, and then you just went through a metal detector. That's it.'
Lyons held up the single yellow ticket that was all that stood between the public and restricted areas at the dinner. The US President and First Lady were seated at the head of the table on stage when the incident occurred.
Suspect Details
The suspect, who has since been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, was 'tackled to the ground' and handcuffed by law enforcement. He has been charged with two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence, as well as a separate charge of assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
Police allege he had a number of weapons on him, including a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives. It's believed Allen may have been a guest at the Hilton hotel where the event was taking place.
While Secret Service agents were visibly stationed throughout the venue, Lyons said their attention appeared narrowly fixated on the president. 'They're coming in and out of the reception and nobody's showing any ID or any passports,' he said.
Official Response
Authorities said in briefings there was a 'multi-layered approach' to security at the event, and that the line of defence where the man was intercepted did its job. Shortly after being evacuated, Trump posted a message on his Truth Social platform praising the response.
'Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job,' he wrote. 'They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we 'LET THE SHOW GO ON' but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. He's a lone wolf, a whack job. These are crazy people. Sick, sick people.'
Organisers initially considered resuming the dinner, but officials ultimately decided to cancel the event.
