Oz Pearlman recounts WHCA dinner shooting: 'Really shocking'

Mentalist Oz Pearlman on Sunday recounted when a gunman exchanged fire with law enforcement outside the ballroom where Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was taking place. Pearlman told host Dana Bash on CNN’s “State of the Union” that he was performing a trick for President Trump, first lady Melania Trump and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt when they heard “commotion” at the Washington Hilton. “It wasn’t gunshots. I wasn’t sure if it was a tray,” he recalled. “We’re also higher than everyone [on stage]. So, we have a very good vantage point versus the thousands of people in the room. And I see everyone swarming one table.” Pearlman noted that he at first thought a “bomb” was about to go off and realized he had to “get down” on the ground. “It was incredibly surreal,” he added. “I get down. I kind of get down on all fours facing left, stage left, and then I watch. It feels like slow motion because of the way the adrenaline is.” A man, who multiple outlets identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen , exchanged gunfire with law enforcement officers outside of the ballroom. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro told reporters Saturday that the man will be arraigned on Monday on two charges — using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. …