Trump and officials 'likely' targets of press dinner shooting suspect, authorities believe

US President Donald Trump and his officials were the "likely" targets of a suspected gunman who attempted to storm the White House Correspondents' Dinner, acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche has said.

The suspect, named by US media as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, was arrested after police said he opened fire near a security checkpoint during the event at a Washington DC hotel on Saturday.

Blanche, speaking to NBC News, said the alleged gunman's motive is still under investigation, but that "preliminary" findings suggest he was targeting administration officials.

The FBI's criminal division and terrorism task-force are investigating the incident.

Trump, who was rushed off the stage to safety, told reporters at a briefing after the shooting on Saturday: "I can't imagine that there's any profession that's more dangerous".

The White House Correspondents' Association president called the attack "harrowing".

In a statement on Sunday, White House Correspondents' Association president Weijia Jiang, who was sat next to Trump at the dinner, thanked the Secret Service for actions which "protected thousands of guests".

She added the board will meet and determine how to proceed, and will release updates when available.

On Sunday, Trump told Fox News that the suspect "had a lot of hatred in his heart for a while", and said his family knew he had "difficulties". He added that the suspect had a "manifesto".

At about 20:35 local time (00:35 GMT) on Saturday gunshots rang out in the foyer of the Washington Hilton hotel, where the White House Correspondents' dinner was taking place in the ballroom on a floor below.

The president, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice-President JD Vance were also rushed out of the room by security.

Officials said law enforcement exchanged fire with the alleged attacker and intercepted him, and "believe" the suspect fired his weapon. He was not struck, but was taken to hospital for evaluation.

Police said he was carrying two guns, as well as knives.

An officer who was shot and injured during the incident has been discharged from hospital. His bullet proof vest "helped us avoid a potential tragedy," the Secret Service's chief of communications, Anthony Guglielmi, told the BBC.

Several BBC reporters were in attendance at the dinner, and described scenes of widespread confusion following the sound of gunshots.

Gary O'Donoghue, the BBC's Chief North America correspondent, said he heard "booming sounds".

"Within moments, I thought – that is the low thudding sound that semi-automatic weapons make," he said.

The room was briefly locked down, before an announcement was made that the event would be rescheduled and attendees were ushered out.

Blanche told the BBC's US partner CBS News that investigators believe the suspect travelled to the capital by train - from Los Angeles to Chicago, before heading to DC.