Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche mentioned on Sunday that the individual accused in the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., is believed to have traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago before heading to the capital.
According to Blanche, “What we learned overnight is that it looks like he took a train through Chicago to Washington, D.C., and it seems he used that mode of transportation for both legs.” He emphasized that “the investigation is moving quickly.”
Authorities executed several search warrants in both Los Angeles and Washington during the night, including in a hotel room where the suspect had stayed. Investigators are analyzing equipment and communications obtained during these searches.
Bream asked Blanche about the suspect’s choice to travel by train instead of flying, wondering if it was an attempt to avoid security checks. Blanche responded that it’s unclear why the suspect opted for this route, stating, “We don’t know the reason yet, but it could be that, or it might be something else.” He also expressed uncertainty about whether the suspect had a firearm with him.
While the motive behind the alleged actions is still under investigation, early findings indicate that the suspect might have been aiming at members of the Trump administration. However, Blanche was careful to say that this information is still preliminary.
Authorities believe the suspect purchased the firearm within the last few years, but they are still working to figure out how it was transported. Blanche suggested that having the firearm may have influenced the decision to travel by train, though he acknowledges that this is simply speculation.
Federal prosecutors are preparing to file initial charges, including using a firearm in a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, with the possibility of additional charges as more evidence comes to light. “We don’t know what charges might arise later; it will depend on the evidence collected,” Blanche noted.
Blanche commended law enforcement for their rapid response, highlighting that they effectively stopped the suspect from breaching the security zone near President Trump. “The fact is, he couldn’t really get past the line,” he stated, affirming that the security teams did their job well.
