‘Petrified’ guests at the WHCD shooting recall horror as shots rang out: ‘I thought about my son’
A harrowing photo captured the chaos during an alleged assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents Dinner, showing guests lying on the floor in fear. The image, taken by freelance photographer Nathan Howard, quickly spread and depicted moments of panic after gunshots were reported near the Washington Hilton ballroom. Among those present were public figures like Kerry Kennedy and Rep. Jamie Raskin, who shielded her during the incident.
- ▪An alleged gunman, Cole Allen, burst through security at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents Dinner.
- ▪Freelance photographer Nathan Howard captured the scene within seconds of the gunshots and the image was distributed via Getty Images.
- ▪Guests, including DC 'shadow' senator Paul Strauss and Kerry Kennedy, were seen on the floor, with Rep. Jamie Raskin shielding Kennedy.
- ▪Richard Strauss, a communications strategist, recounted thinking of his son during the chaos and later eating salad covered in red wine.
- ▪The suspect had taken a selfie armed with weapons about 30 minutes before the incident, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
US News The jarring photo that captured ‘petrified’ dinner guests fearing reprise of Kennedy curse By Geoff Earle Published May 2, 2026, 4:34 p.m. ET Richard Strauss thought of his son when chaos and panic erupted at the White House Correspondents Dinner amid gunshots. In the terrifying seconds after an alleged gunman sprinted through a security checkpoint, the DC communications strategist found himself sprawled on the floor of the Washington Hilton ballroom — surrounded by panicked guests as his mind raced to the one thing that mattered most. “It was scary. It was surreal. I thought about my son.
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