‘Sad for our country’: Rep. Flood shares his perspective after shooting at correspondents’ dinner

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner left many shaken, including Congressman Mike Flood.

Flood said he went into the night full of excitement, but left disappointed.

“I was so looking forward to this,” he said. “I made plans to be here 45 days in advance, and I was delighted to get an invite. I almost just shed a tear watching this scene. We’re better than this; we don’t want to live this way.”

According to Flood, this was his first time attending the event.

After hearing what he thought were plates breaking, Flood said the room filled with both fear and confusion.

He said he, as well as many others, tried to hide under the table to protect himself.

“I ducked a little bit, but I was also just taking in this scene,” he said. “There were Secret Service agents who were running towards the front of the room. Because everybody was on the ground, they’re literally running from table to table. They were running on top of the dinner tables.”

Flood was able to text his family to let them know he’s safe.

He said he is feeling disheartened after the shooting.

“I’m sad for our country having experienced that last night,” the Congressman said. “I do hope they can get it rescheduled because the actions of one guy who’s obviously got some major issues, mental issues, should not derail the ability of our government to get together with the First Amendment free press and celebrate a night of ‘we’re all in this together.'”

He is now making a plea to the people, calling for political violence in the U.S. to come to an end.

“You need to have thick skin,” he said. “You have to be able to navigate people who don’t agree with you. But this idea that you should be shot or assaulted or your family put in harm’s way, that’s never, ever, ever acceptable.”