Kerry Kennedy praises Jamie Raskin for protecting her at WHCA dinner

Lawyer and activist Kerry Kennedy, the sister of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) late Saturday for protecting her during the fallout from a live shooter at the Washington Hilton Hotel during the annual White House Correspondents Association dinner. 

“I hit the floor at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner mid conversation with Rep. Jamie Raskin, who heroically protected me, whispering, ‘You’re ok, you’re ok, you’re ok,’ while my host from The Boston Globe laid on the ground while furiously taking notes, and thousands of journalists, photographers, and editors took cover under tables and beneath chairs,” Kennedy wrote in a Facebook post.

The political native said the incident was “terrifying,” echoing statements from other attendees at the annual event.

“Then the doors burst open, and scores of Secret Service agents rushed into the room, many with hands on holsters. They rushed for cabinet secretaries and pulled them to safety,” she wrote in the social media post.

“Then security started yelling, ‘Go, go, go,’ demanding that we leave. It was terrifying. But I am still grateful to the brave Secret Service, to my friends at The Boston Globe, and most especially to Rep. Jamie Raskin,” Kennedy added.

FBI officials are now handling an investigation into the shooting, which occurred above the ballroom, as reported by CBS News. 

The alleged suspect, 31-year-old Cole Allen of California, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, according to police.

Following fire at the staple Washington event, Allen was taken into police custody. 

President Trump, who was notably making his first appearance at the dinner as sitting president, was evacuated with first lady Melania Trump, Vice President Vance and FBI Director Kash Patel. 

Trump, Vance and Patel briefed the press moments later from the White House. 

“This was an event dedicated to the freedom of speech that was supposed to bring together members of both parties with members of the press and in a certain way it did,” he said. 

“The room was totally unified,” he said. “It was a very beautiful thing to see.”

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