Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick’s fiancee was on stage with President Trump on Saturday night when a man fired shots at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Fitzpatrick is engaged to Jacqui Heinrich, a White House correspondent for Fox News.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner and attendees dropped to the floor after gunshots were heard inside the Washington Hilton hotel where the event was taking place on April 25.
It appears Heinrich is sitting next to Vice President JD Vance on stage and can be seen in video taking cover under the table as he and Trump are rushed out.
A suspect is in custody and charged with weapons offenses but the investigation is continuing and charges could be upgraded.
“I am grateful that the President, First Lady, Vice President, Second Lady, and everyone in attendance here with us are safe—including my fiancée, who was on the stage with the President when the shots were fired,” the congressman from Levittown wrote on social media Saturday night. He did not indicate that he was at the dinner.
“Tonight could have ended very differently. The Secret Service and law enforcement officers on scene acted without hesitation and with extraordinary professionalism. In a moment of danger and chaos, they brought courage, calm, and order to the entire room. I am deeply grateful for their service.
“May we unite in prayer for our country, lower the temperature, reject hatred, and remember the responsibility we share to one another and to the nation we love.”
Heinrich told Politico in October that the couple would marry in the spring.
The president said the suspect in the incident shot one Secret Service officer at close range, but he was saved by a bulletproof vest. Trump said he spoke to the officer, who was in “high spirits,” and told the man “we love him and respect him,” USA Today reported.
Law enforcement agents have identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California, according to multiple media reports. FBI Director Kash Patel told reporters agents quickly subdued the alleged shooter, and a long gun and shell casings were found on the scene.
“My impression was that he was a lone wolf whack job,” Trump added.
