Photographers' Muscle Memory Kicks In During WHCD Shooting
During the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel, a gunman opened fire, and photographers from major news agencies instinctively began documenting the attack despite being off-duty and without professional cameras. Getty Images photojournalist Andrew Harnick, present to receive an award, captured video of Secret Service agents evacuating President Trump and Vice President Vance using his iPhone. Associated Press photographer Alex Brandon, also attending as a guest, photographed Trump surrounded by agents and later captured an image of the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, shirtless on the ground after rushing outside to find cell service. Both photographers described their reaction as "muscle memory." Allen, 31, has been charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump.
Key facts
- The shooting occurred at the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
- Photographers Andrew Harnick (Getty Images) and Alex Brandon (Associated Press) were off-duty but reacted instinctively.
- Harnick used his iPhone to film Secret Service agents evacuating President Trump and Vice President Vance.
- Brandon photographed Trump surrounded by agents and later captured the suspect on the ground.
- Brandon had to leave the ballroom to find cell service to transmit his photos.
- The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has been charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump.
- Both photographers described their actions as 'muscle memory.'
- Harnick was at the dinner to receive an award.
Entities
Artists
- Andrew Harnick
- Alex Brandon
- Jacqui Heinrich
Institutions
- Getty Images
- Associated Press
- Fox News
- The Sunday Briefing
- The Independent
- White House Correspondents' Association
Locations
- Washington Hilton Hotel
- Washington, D.C.
- United States