Groom-to-Be, Who Attended WHCD, Recalls Thinking ‘I’m Getting Married in 6 Days, I Can’t Die Now’

**Journalist Relives Trauma After White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting**

Marc Rod, a senior Congressional correspondent for Jewish Insider, has shared his distressing account of witnessing a shooting incident during the recent White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which occurred just days before his wedding. This unsettling experience marks the second time Rod has found himself in a dangerous situation involving gunfire, having previously endured the tumultuous events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol.

On April 25, a shocking turn of events unfolded at the Washington Hilton, where the annual press gathering took place. In the midst of the celebratory atmosphere, Rod was confronted with the unexpected sound of a “shattering bang,” prompting immediate panic among attendees. With security forces quickly brandishing their weapons, guests were urged to seek cover under tables, escalating the chaos.

Reflecting on the sheer horror of the moment, Rod noted in his notebook two alarming thoughts that gripped him: “I’m getting married in six days, I can’t die now,” and “I can’t believe this is happening to me again.”

Rod, who had been seated in the back row of the ballroom, recalled how law enforcement officials, including Secret Service agents, moved to ensure the safety of notable figures present, such as former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, as they were escorted from the venue. The circumstances were especially disconcerting for Rod, who was used to covering significant events and expected a steady flow of information. However, he found himself feeling isolated and uninformed during the crisis.

“I was left asking my fiancée, who was at home, to send me information, because I could find nothing,” Rod explained. The challenge of obtaining real-time updates was compounded by the chaos that enveloped the venue, leaving journalists uncharacteristically in the dark.

As the situation unfolded, it was reported that law enforcement had apprehended a suspect: Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old teacher from California, who allegedly injured a Secret Service agent during the incident. After what Rod described as a seemingly interminable wait, he received notification confirming that the shooter was in custody.

Once the immediate threat had passed and guests began cleaving the scene, Rod contacted his family while still grappling with the aftermath of the alarming event. “I was completely lost, teeth starting to chatter, and my body shaking from an excess of adrenaline,” he recounted. The intensity of such experiences takes an emotional toll, which was only magnified when he returned home to explore social media discussions surrounding the incident.

In the wake of the shooting, Rod encountered a wave of conspiracy theories proliferating on social media, fuelling disbelief and confusion. “It was staged, the entertainer was in on it, security was purposely loosened,” he noted, pointing out the surreal nature of witnessing such narratives play out in real-time, particularly after having lived through a major national crisis like the Capitol attack.

Rod expressed frustration at the tendency for disinformation to fester in the absence of clear communication during crises. “There are few things more surreal, or more infuriating, than seeing people pretend an event you lived through wasn’t real,” he said, emphasising the lasting impacts these scenarios have on individuals involved.

Following the incident, Allen appeared at a federal court in Washington D.C. on April 27, facing serious charges, including attempting to assassinate the president and two federal firearms charges. During his arraignment, he did not enter a plea, and further developments around the case are anticipated in the coming weeks.

As Rod prepares for his wedding amidst these unsettling memories, he continues to advocate for accurate reporting and responsible discourse regarding such traumatic events. His resolve underscores the resilience needed to navigate both personal and professional challenges, particularly in an era marked by a heightened awareness of violence and its implications.