The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was thrown into chaos Saturday night as gunshots rang out, triggering a swift evacuation that included Robert F Kennedy Jr. and his wife, actress Cheryl Hines.
Amidst the frantic scene, as security personnel rushed to clear the Washington Hilton hotel, a surprising message emerged from Kennedy Jr. himself: “I’m really hungry.” His son, Bobby Kennedy III, shared the exchange on social media, revealing his father’s remarkably calm reaction to the unfolding drama.
The incident began when a man attempted to breach security and enter the venue, immediately halting the annual gala. Hines described the evacuation as “crazy,” recounting being “lifted over chairs” by security in a desperate effort to escape the potential danger.
Authorities quickly apprehended the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California. He remains in custody as a full investigation gets underway, revealing a concerning pattern of weapons acquisition.
Investigators discovered Allen had purchased a 38-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun in California, storing them at his parents’ home. His online presence paints a picture of a complex individual – a tutor, a video game developer, and a recent college graduate.
Allen’s resume details six years with C2 Education, a test preparation company, where he was recently named “Teacher of the Month.” He also showcased his creative side, developing a molecular chemistry-based video game for the Steam platform and working on a new space combat game.
Those who knew Allen expressed shock and disbelief. A former professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills, described him as a diligent and polite student, always engaged and eager to learn. “He was a very good student indeed,” the professor wrote, “I am very shocked to see the news.”
Former President Donald Trump, addressing reporters after the event, alluded to past experiences, stating, “It’s always shocking when something like this happens…Happened to me, a little bit.” He added a striking analogy, saying he felt “like a pinata” due to numerous alleged attempts on his life.
The investigation continues, seeking to understand the motives behind Allen’s actions and the full scope of the threat he posed. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present security concerns surrounding high-profile events.
