London, UNITED KINGDOM — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the “shocking” scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner following a shooting that targeted a gala attended by President Donald Trump.
In a statement released on Sunday, Starmer emphasized that any attack on democratic institutions or the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, expressing “huge relief” that the President, the First Lady, and all attendees remained safe.
The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, is scheduled to be arraigned in a US District Court on Monday.
Okay News reports that US Attorney Jeanine Piro has filed federal charges against Allen, including the use of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer. Allen reportedly exchanged gunfire with Secret Service agents during the Saturday night gala but was apprehended without sustaining injuries.
Addressing reporters shortly after the incident, President Trump described the shooter as a “lone wolf” and insisted the attack would not deter his administration’s military objectives. “It’s not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran,” Trump stated, though he noted that investigators are still working to determine if the shooting was linked to the ongoing conflict. The incident occurred just hours after the President canceled a high-stakes peace mission to Pakistan, citing dissatisfaction with the Iranian government’s negotiating position.
Security experts have raised concerns regarding the breach at such a high-profile event, which traditionally celebrates the First Amendment.
