Suspect in shooting at Trump press dinner to appear in court

A California man accused of storming a gala dinner attended by President Donald Trump was to appear in court Monday over a shooting that marks the latest spasm of political violence in deeply divided America.

Administration officials said the suspect in Saturday night's shocking attack apparently aimed to kill Trump and senior officials at the press dinner in a Washington hotel, in what would be the third attempt on the president's life in two years.

Trump, who was rushed out of the ballroom in Washington by Secret Service agents, posted surveillance footage of the gunman attempting to sprint past a checkpoint one floor above the room where the dinner was held.

After a brief exchange of gunfire with agents, the suspect was detained at the scene.

Trump shared photos of the suspect handcuffed on the carpeted hotel floor, lying shirtless and face down.

In an interview aired Sunday night on the CBS program "60 Minutes," Trump was asked if he feared there would be casualties as the chaotic scene unfolded before him: Washington's government and media elite in formal attire ducking for cover at a fancy dinner.

"I wasn't worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world," Trump said.

"He's not actively cooperating. I expect that he will be formally charged tomorrow morning in federal court in Washington," acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche told CBS' "Face The Nation" earlier in the day.

"We do believe, based upon just a very preliminary start to understanding what happened, that he was targeting members of the administration."

Blanche added that no further motive was known for the attack, and confirmed the suspect -- who officials said was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives -- was staying at the Washington Hilton hotel where the black-tie White House Correspondents' Dinner was held.

AFP