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During the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday evening, chaos unfolded at the Washington Hilton Hotel as gunfire erupted, leading to the swift evacuation of Erika Kirk. The Turning Point USA CEO, visibly shaken, expressed her distress saying, “I just want to go home,” as she was hurriedly guided out in the aftermath of the incident.
Erika Kirk, widow of the late conservative figure Charlie Kirk, was captured on video, tearfully repeating her desire to return home. This emotional moment occurred after Cole Allen, the suspected shooter, breached a security checkpoint at the hotel armed with a shotgun, handgun, and several knives, causing alarm at the event held in the ballroom.
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The shooting incident transpired roughly 20 minutes after President Donald Trump made his arrival at the dinner. This shocking event follows the murder of Erika’s husband, who was tragically killed during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University on September 10, over seven months ago.
In response to the threat, President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and a host of senior White House officials were rapidly evacuated from the prestigious gathering as the alleged assailant began firing.
President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance, among a slew of other senior White House officials, were urgently evacuated from the high-profile event after the alleged gunman opened fire.
Other alarmed guests — including D.C. reporters — were seen ducking under tables after the shooting erupted, in likely anticipation of more to come.
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As – News reported, the 31-year-old suspected shooter wrote a manifesto and attended a No King’s protest, according to a senior Trump administration official.
Trump addressed the public after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, saying the proposed White House ballroom would be drone- and bulletproof and a much more secure venue for important events, such as the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told NBC News that it appears Allen traveled from Los Angeles to Chicago, then to Washington, DC, via train and checked into the Hilton a day or two before the event.
Alana Mastrangelo is a reporter for – News. You can follow her on Facebook and X at @ARmastrangelo, and on Instagram.