Cheryl Hines has described the harrowing moments when a gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, as security ushered her out of the ballroom by lifting her over chairs.
On Saturday night, members of the press joined top-ranking officials in the Trump administration for an annual celebration of the First Amendment and journalism in the US.
Before guests even finished their first course, chaos erupted as shots rang out and security teams sprang into action to usher the most powerful people in the country to safety.
Hines was in attendance with her husband, Robert F Kennedy Jr, Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary.
The former actress filmed a video message once she arrived back home, still in her gown, telling her followers: ‘That was a crazy moment in time.
‘So we were there, and we heard shots, everybody got under the tables, nobody knew what was going on, and then Bobby’s security detail surrounded us,’ she continued.
‘They had to lift me over chairs, because I’m in heels, and a gown. They took us through all of the back ways, and we got in the car and left.’
In a second update, Hines said she and her husband were okay and were home watching the news.
Hines shared a video update after the harrowing event, revealing that security teams lifted her over chairs after shots rang out
Cheryl Hines was swiftly escorted out of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night after shots were fired
Hines was in attendance with her husband, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. The two are pictured above before the dinner
Photos of the chaos depicted Hines and Kennedy ducking for cover and rushing out of the ballroom, accompanied by a massive security detail.
Videos inside the dinner also revealed Vice President JD Vance was hoisted out of his chair by the Secret Service, while President Trump was covered in place before being dramatically escorted off the stage.
The suspect was later identified as Cole Thomas Allen, 31, a teacher from Torrance, California.
Trump later shared chilling security footage of the event, which depicted the shooter storming past security with a gun in hand. Multiple armed guards rushed towards Allen before exchanging gunfire.
One officer was struck in his bulletproof vest and is expected to recover. Everyone else was unharmed. Authorities said that Allen had been armed with a handgun and multiple knives.
Guests were seen in chaotic images ducking under tables, reaching for their phones and being pushed by Secret Service agents out of the ballroom.
Hines called the incident a ‘crazy moment in time,’ but assured her followers that she and her husband were okay. The two are pictured with security detail at the dinner above
Harrowing images revealed security teams rushing to escort top administration officials out of the hotel. Hines and Kennedy are pictured leaving the venue above
Hines said in her video message that she saw guests hiding under tables in confusion. Kennedy is pictured above with his security detail
Footage shared by CBS News’ Tony Dokoupil revealed Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller shielding his pregnant wife, Katie Miller, as agents escorted them outside.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was also seen ordering his table to leave the ballroom as chants of ‘God Bless America’ and ‘USA’ were heard in the background.
The event attempted to resume, but the dinner was canceled for the evening, and guests departed the venue.
Meanwhile, cops swarmed Allen’s parents’ $877,000 home shortly after he was arrested.
Officials said Allen had no prior criminal record and was not previously known to law enforcement in Washington DC.
Photographs circulating online show him smiling alongside family members at graduations and gatherings.
His social media details indicate he is highly educated and academically accomplished.
Authorities confirmed the suspect’s name is Cole Thomas Allen, 31, a teacher from Torrance, California, pictured above
Allen was tackled to the ground and handcuffed by authorities after storming security, pictured above
On LinkedIn, he describes himself as: ‘A mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, teacher by birth.’
Allen earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology and later a Master of Science in Computer Science from a California State University.
During his time at Caltech, Allen listed his involvement in the Caltech Christian Fellowship and the Caltech Nerf Club.
More recently, Allen had been working in education. In December 2024, he was named Teacher of the Month at C2 Education, a recognition typically reserved for standout instructors.
Allen has been charged with two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. He is expected to be arraigned in federal court on Monday.
If convicted, Allen could face 20 years in jail for the assault, while the weapons charges come with a minimum of ten years, with a possibility of life behind bars.
