Gunshot at dinner may have struck officer's phone in pocket of bulletproof vest
Officials investigating the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner said they estimated the suspect was running at about 9 miles per hour when he sprinted through a checkpoint and discharged his shotgun.
The alleged gunman was running at full speed as he raced past the magnetometers on the second floor of the Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C. He discharged his shotgun, likely hitting the cellphone tucked inside the pocket of the bulletproof vest worn by the officer who fired five shots at him, according to two sources familiar with the investigation of the incident Saturday night at the White House Correspondent's Dinner .
Officials investigating the incident said they estimated 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen was running at about 9 miles per hour when he sprinted through and discharged the shotgun he had with him. Officials are still conducting ballistics testing to confirm whether it was the shot he fired that hit the officer wearing the bulletproof vest in the chest, sources said.
Allen tripped and fell to the ground, and officers immediately jumped on him, stripping him of his weapons and shirt to ensure he didn't have explosives on him, law enforcement sources told CBS News.
Meanwhile, one flight down in the ballroom, President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, the majority of the Cabinet and their spouses, and more than 2,000 journalists and guests were told to take cover. Some towards the back of the ballroom heard the gunshots and smelled the gunpowder, likely from the discharge of the shotgun.
Those closer to the front where Mr. Trump was sitting didn't necessarily hear the shots but quickly became aware of the disturbance. Most climbed underneath their tables for cover as Secret Service agents whisked the president and first lady away.
Allen was charged with attempting to assassinate the president of the United States and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. He travelled to Washington from his home state of California by train, carrying two firearms and several knives, officials said. He is also charged with transportation of a firearm and ammunition with the intent to commit a felony.