Panicked JD Vance’s words during Washington shooting revealed by lip-reader

Authorities later confirmed that the suspect, identified by U.S. media as 31-year-old Cole

Thomas Allen of Torrance, Californ

a, was heavily armed. He reportedly carried a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives as he attempted to breach a security checkpoint near the ballroom.

Images circulating after the incident showed the suspect lying face down on the floor after being subdued.

Among the guests escorted from the venue was Erika Kirk, the wife of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed in a separate attack months earlier. Visibly distressed, she was seen leaving in tears, telling a bodyguard, “I just wanna go home.”

In remarks delivered later from the West Wing, Trump described the confusion of the moment. He said he initially mistook the sound for something harmless, such as a dropped tray. However, Melania Trump quickly realized the seriousness of the situation, identifying it as a “bad noise.”

Within seconds, Trump, the First Lady, and Vice President Vance took cover under their table before being rapidly evacuated by Secret Service agents. Security teams then swept the ballroom to ensure the safety of other attendees.