Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, was seen in tears as she was escorted out of the White House Correspondents' Dinner Saturday night after an armed individual stormed the building and shots were fired.
Footage shared by CNN's Sara Sidner shows Kirk crying and appearing to say, "I just want to go home," as she is hurried out of the venue. Another clip captures her outside, visibly shaken, standing near Kash Patel and others.
Kirk's emotional response is understandably raw—her husband, Charlie Kirk, was fatally shot in the neck by a gunman during an event at Utah Valley University in September 2025.
The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen, was arrested at the scene. According to D.C. Metropolitan Police interim chief Jeff Carroll, Allen was not hit by gunfire but was taken to a hospital for evaluation. U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro announced that Allen faces two charges: using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer. He is scheduled for arraignment in federal court Monday.