Suspect used interior stairwell to bypass more public areas of hotel, sources say

Cole Allen | MGN

The suspect was seen leaving his 10th-floor room inside the Washington Hilton dressed in black and carrying a shotgun, a handgun and several knives packed inside a black bag, according to hotel surveillance footage reviewed by senior law enforcement officials. He used an interior stairwell to run down approximately 10 flights, bypassing heavily monitored public areas of the hotel, senior law enforcement sources told CBS News.

The suspect then emerged onto the terrace level — the same level as the foyer leading to the event’s red carpet — just yards from a primary access point to the ballroom where the high-profile dinner was underway. There, he broke into a sprint.

It was then that Secret Service Uniformed Division officers confronted and tackled the suspect moments after he emerged. As part of standard protocol, officers immediately removed the suspect’s dark clothing and searched his bag to ensure he was not carrying or wearing additional weapons or explosive devices.

When the incident unfolded at approximately 8:36 p.m., security screening operations were already beginning to wind down. According to officials, magnetometers used to screen attendees were already being dismantled. No new guests were permitted to enter the ballroom at that time.