Visibly shaken Erika Kirk says ‘I just want to go home’ as she's escorted out of WHCD after shooting

WASHINGTON, DC: Erika Kirk was rushed out of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after gunfire erupted outside the ballroom on Saturday, April 25.

The widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk was visibly shaken and in tears as she was abruptly escorted out of the Washington Hilton when a gunman opened fire.

“I just want to go home. I just want to go home,” the distressed 37-year-old Turning Point USA CEO said.

Witnesses told People that Erika was among many attendees who ducked under tables when shots rang out. She was later seen crying and being consoled by FBI director Kash Patel as security scrambled to contain the situation.

The frightening episode comes just months after Erika stepped into the CEO role at Turning Point USA following the death of her husband, Charlie, who was shot and killed at a speaking event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.

Erika Kirk recently received 'some very serious threats'

Erika had already expressed concerns in the days leading up to the dinner. She pulled out of a Turning Point USA event in Athens, Georgia, alongside Vice President JD Vance, citing safety fears.

Erika had been dealing with escalating threats in recent days, according to her team. The former beauty queen received “some very serious threats in her direction,” TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet said, according to Fox News.

Vance, 41, also acknowledged her concerns about the Georgia event. “I know that she did get some threats, and about two hours ago I was a little worried we were going to have to cancel the event because Erika was not going to come,” the vice president said during remarks to students at the University of Georgia, according to WSB-TV. “She was very worried about it.”

Those fears became real Saturday night as the high-profile Washington gathering descended into panic. Gunfire erupted roughly 20 minutes after President Donald Trump arrived at the annual gala, an event he had skipped for years before attending this time. 

More than 2,000 guests, including journalists, Washington insiders, and senior administration officials, were sent scrambling.

High-profile evacuation and suspect takedown

The suspected shooter, identified by sources as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, reportedly stormed a security checkpoint armed with a shotgun and multiple knives before being stopped.

Secret Service agents quickly confronted and subdued the suspect in the lobby.

One agent was shot “from a very close distance with a very powerful gun” during the encounter but survived thanks to a bulletproof vest, Trump said, adding that the agent is being treated at a local hospital.

Authorities believe Allen, described as a teacher and Caltech graduate from Torrance, California, was a guest at the hotel hosting the event.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr was seen being carried out by his security team, with one person on each side supporting him.

He attended the event alongside his wife, actress Cheryl Hines.

President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and several top officials were immediately evacuated from the venue.

US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro said the suspect (yet to be formally identified by authorities at the time of writing) faces charges of assault on a federal law enforcement officer and two counts of using a firearm to commit violence.

He is expected to be arraigned Monday in federal court, with additional charges likely, Pirro said.