The suspect in the shooting that occurred during the White House correspondents’ dinner on Saturday was on Monday charged with the attempted assassination of US President Donald Trump.

Court proceedings showed the suspect also faced other charges, including two firearms crimes.

If convicted, the 31-year-old suspect would face a sentence of up to life in prison.

He made his first court appearance on Monday. (DW)

The post Gala shooting suspect charged with attempt to murder Trump appeared first on Newswire.

Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake today slammed authorities for making the shooter involved in the murder of underworld kingpin Ganemulla Sanjeewa a hero.

Addressing the Parliament today, MP Dassanayake criticised the manner in which media related to the incident was handled, where inappropriate pictures of the gunman had been shared online.

“Do not let them share pictures of the gunman. Look at the pictures, the criminal seems to be displaying affectionate behaviour with the authorities,” he said. 

MP Dassanayake called on the Minister of Public Security to conduct a probe into the matter.

He further said that media reports say the suspect had been caught within hours of the shooting, not due to the efficiency of the Police, but due to a tip-off from Dubai. 

Responding to the MP, Minister Ananda Wijepala said some of the pictures regarding the shooting incident had been manipulated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

He requested the Members of Parliament to fact-check before presenting such matters in Parliament. (Newswire)

The post Chamara wants investigation on “Lovable” pics of Gunman appeared first on Newswire.

Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala says the suspect arrested in connection to the shooting inside a Colombo Court Complex yesterday has been identified as Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga Kandanaarachchi.

Addressing the Parliament today, Minister Wijepala said the suspect is a resident of Maharagama and was arrested in Palaviya, Puttalam last evening. “This suspect has been found to be involved in several murders reported in the last two weeks,” he said.

When the arrest happened, Police Spokesman announced that the suspect named as Asman Sherifdeen (34) was arrested in Puttalam.

Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga addressing media last evening again, following the suspect’s arrest, said that the gunman had used several names.

“It is evident that the suspect was using several aliases, along with several identification cards. At first instance he has appeared as Mohammad Aslam Sherifdeen and later as Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga Kandanaarachchi,” Manatunga said.

The suspect who was using a lawyer’s identification document had also used the name Kodikarage Kasun Prabath Nissanka, Police said.

Speaking to Newswire, Minister Wijepala confirmed that the gunman has been identified as Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga Kandanaarachchi and had later used various aliases.

Meanwhile Public Security Minister further said that the driver of the van used by the gunman to flee to Puttalam has also been arrested, along with the vehicle. The minister said that investigations are underway to apprehend a woman said to be involved in aiding the shooting in which underworld kingpin Ganemulla Sanjeewa was killed.

Minister Wijepala informed Parliament that the incident was a result of continuous disputes between underworld gangs and did not cause any threats to national security or public safety.

“These are incidents that have been repeatedly occurring due to clashes related to underworld activities and organized criminals. Such incidents have been reported for a long time in this country. This isolated incident should not be considered a threat to national security,” he added.

The minister’s comments come in connection to the murder of underworld kingpin Ganemulla Sanjeewa inside a Colombo Court complex last morning.

A man disguised as a lawyer had opened fire at the victim while he had taken the witness stand related to a case regarding his remand. (Newswire)

The post Samindu or Asman : Minister & Police confused on Shooter’s name amid arrest appeared first on Newswire.