Bruce Springsteen spoke out against political violence, leading fans in prayer following the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner shooting.
“We start tonight with a prayer for our men and ladies in service overseas, we pray for his or her protected return,” Springsteen, 76, said during a concert in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, April 26. “We also send out a prayer of thanks that our president, nor anyone within the administration, nor anyone attending, was injured ultimately night’s incident on the [White House] press correspondents’ dinner.”
In accordance with fan videos shared via social media, Springsteen continued his prayer by speaking out against the incident on the Washington Hilton on Saturday, April 25. Springsteen has previously been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump’s administration, even acting at a No Kings protest in Minnesota last month.
“We will disagree. We will be critical of those in power, and we will peacefully fight for our beliefs,” the singer added. “But there isn’t a place in any way, shape, or form for political violence of any kind in our beloved United States.”
Political heavyweights gathered alongside members of the media for the annual White House Association Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C. on Saturday. Shots were fired through the evening, sending the ballroom right into a panic as attendees were evacuated. One member of the Secret Service was shot but was protected by a bulletproof vest.
The alleged shooter, Cole Tomas Allen, was arrested near the event. He was arraigned on Monday, April 27, and faces three criminal charges: a proper accusation of attempting to assassinate the president, interstate transportation of weapons and discharge of a firearm during a violent crime.
Federal prosecutors alleged on Monday that Allen, 31, was armed with several deadly weapons when he boarded a train to Washington, D.C. He was allegedly found with a 12 gauge pump motion shotgun, a .38-caliber semi-automatic pistol and three knives.
Allen’s court-appointed defense attorney told the court on Monday that he was “presumed innocent at the moment,” stating that Allen has no prior arrests or convictions.
It was widely reported that Allen sent a letter to family, friends and colleagues 10 minutes before the shooting wherein he spoke openly about his dislike for Trump’s administration.
“I experience rage serious about all the things this administration has done,” Allen wrote, claiming that he was targeting “administration officials,” per NBC News.
“I don’t expect forgiveness,” Allen allegedly wrote. “Again, my sincere apologies.”
Trump, 79, discussed the incident in a press conference Saturday night.
“I used to be totally shocked when something like this happens,” he said. “It happened to me somewhat bit, and that never changes. The very fact, we were sitting right next to one another, first lady on my right, and I heard a noise … I believed it was a tray happening, and it was a fairly loud noise, and it was from quite distant. [The suspect] hadn’t reached the realm in any respect. He really got him … nevertheless it was a gun.”