A suspect accused of opening fire at a high-profile media gala attended by US President Donald Trump is due in court on Monday, as investigators continue to probe the motive behind the dramatic security breach in Washington, D C.
Federal prosecutors confirmed the arraignment will take place in the US capital, where the 31-year-old suspect is expected to face charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
According to US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the suspect exchanged gunfire with Secret Service agents during the incident but was not wounded.
Speaking after the attack, Trump insisted the shooting would not affect his administration’s military posture abroad. He dismissed suggestions of any link to tensions involving Iran, though he admitted investigators are still determining the motive.
How the shooting unfolded
Authorities said the suspect acted alone, rushing through a security checkpoint at a hotel hosting the event at about 8:36 pm.
Metropolitan Police Department interim chief Jeffery Carroll said the attacker was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives.
Law enforcement officers quickly engaged the suspect, exchanging gunfire before subduing him. A Secret Service officer was struck in his protective vest and taken to hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition.
Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel confirmed that investigators recovered weapons and shell casings at the scene and have begun interviewing witnesses.
Who is the suspect?
Authorities have yet to formally release the suspect’s identity. However, US media reports suggest he is a 31-year-old man from California who may have been staying at the hotel where the event took place.
Officials believe he acted alone and was apprehended at the scene before being taken to hospital for evaluation.
Security questions raised
The incident has sparked fresh concerns about event security, particularly how the suspect was able to carry multiple weapons into the building.
Witnesses said screening measures were limited to the ballroom entrance, with no initial checks at the hotel’s main entry point.
Trump initially criticised the venue as lacking strong security but later clarified that the event hall itself remained secure and was not breached.
The attack comes at a sensitive time for US foreign policy. Earlier in the day, Trump cancelled a planned diplomatic trip linked to talks involving Iran, citing frustration with stalled negotiations.
Despite the shooting, the president maintained that his administration would continue its current course.
