The widow of Charlie Kirk was seen in tears and pleading to “go home” as an assassination attempt on the Trump administration turned the White House Correspondents Association Dinner into a scene of chaotic evacuation.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed Sunday that a gunman from California, who traveled across the country by train, managed to shoot a Secret Service agent just feet from the hotel perimeter before being subdued.
The incident was a harrowing moment for Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk, who was caught in the frantic rush as agents whisked President Trump and Vice President JD Vance out of the ballroom.
Kirk, who lost her husband to a fatal shooting only months ago in Utah, was captured on video by CNN’s Sara Sidner looking visibly shaken while being escorted to safety. The close call follows a string of “very serious threats” that recently forced Kirk to cancel multiple public appearances.
READ: Trump Demands End To “Ballroom Lawsuit” Following Armed Assault At WHCA Dinner
Blanche revealed that the suspect, 31-year-old Cole Allen of California, traveled from the West Coast to D.C. While the gunman managed to fire on law enforcement, Blanche credited a bulletproof vest with saving the agent’s life.
“The president gave him words of encouragement and appreciation,” Blanche said, noting the officer is in good spirits and a “tragedy was avoided.”
Investigators are currently retracing Allen’s cross-country rail journey, which included a stop in Chicago before he checked into the Washington Hilton.
While Allen is not currently cooperating, Blanche told “Face the Nation” that federal authorities are weighing additional charges beyond the initial counts of assault on a federal officer and firearm use.
For the Kirk family and the Trump administration, the night was another grim reminder of a heightened security climate.
This marks the third major attempt on President Trump’s life, following previous incidents in Butler, Pennsylvania, and West Palm Beach. Despite the panic in the ballroom, Blanche insisted the administration would not be intimidated.
READ: Blanche: Bulletproof Vest Saves Agent From California Gunman’s Cross-Country Mission
“And this man, if one of his goals was to get us to be scared, he failed,” Blanche said. “It will not stop him from doing his job. And not only him, but the vice president, the Cabinet, the law enforcement, you all journalists, you’re not going to stop doing your jobs either because of this lone man.”
Allen is expected to remain in federal custody until his first court appearance in Washington, D.C., on Monday.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
