Suspect sent “manifesto” to family before dinner, source tells CBS News

First details about security at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner before the shooting 05:59

The suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner attack wrote a “manifesto” saying he wanted to specifically target administration officials, law enforcement and White House officials told CBS News.

Authorities also found anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric on the suspect’s social media accounts, the official said.

Before the attack attempt on Saturday, 31-year-old Cole Allen sent some of his writings to his family members, and one of them informed the police about the writings. It appears that the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was not specifically mentioned in the letters sent to family members.

Another family member interviewed by investigators after the attack said Allen made radical statements and repeatedly referred to his plan to do “something” to solve problems in today’s world.

Family members told investigators that Allen regularly went to the shooting range to practice with his guns. He legally owned two guns, one of which was used in the shooting at the Washington Hilton Hotel, law enforcement officials told CBS News.

Allen’s family members also said he was part of a group called “The Wide Awakes” and participated in the “No Kings” protest in California.