Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s son has revealed his father's remarkably casual response to being rushed out of the White House correspondents' dinner as gunshots rang out. The US health secretary reportedly said he was 'very hungry' after being forced to leave the annual event just as starters were being served.
Son Shares WhatsApp Exchange
Bobby Kennedy III posted a WhatsApp group exchange on X, showing him inquiring about his father's safety following the incident at the Washington Hilton hotel. The gala was abruptly interrupted when a man attempted to force his way past security and enter the venue.
The suspected gunman, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from California, remains in custody. In his social media post, Bobby shared messages from his father's wife, Cheryl Hines, who described how security officers quickly removed the couple from the building.
Escape and Reaction
Hines added that the scenes at the press dinner were 'crazy' and that she had been 'lifted over chairs' to escape. Her note read: 'Bobby's security came in so fast and took us out of the building.' RFK Jr. simply added: 'I'm really hungry.'
Former President Donald Trump, who also attended the event, told reporters afterward: 'It's always shocking when something like this happens. Happened to me, a little bit. And that never changes.'
Investigation Underway
An investigation continues into the events of Saturday night. Federal officers have interviewed Allen's sister, who said he had purchased several weapons, including a .38-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun from a store in California, and had stored them at his parents' home.
According to social media posts, the suspect is a tutor and video game developer. Allen's online resume states he worked for the last six years at C2 Education, a company offering admissions counselling and test preparation services to aspiring college students. A 2024 post on the company's Facebook page listed Allen as its teacher of the month. The company did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Suspect's Background
Allen also posted that he had developed a video game for the Steam platform based on molecular chemistry. Another post under his name said he was working on a new 'top-down shooter' combat game set in outer space.
Bin Tang, a computer science professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills, said Allen took a few of his classes before graduating last year. 'He was a very good student indeed, always sitting in the first row of my class, paying attention, and frequently emailing me with coursework questions. Soft-spoken, very polite, a good fellow. I am very shocked to see the news,' Tang wrote in an email.
Donald Trump told Fox News that he felt 'like a pinata' after so many attempts on his life.
