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While a multitude of law enforcement agents sprang into action after a shooter tried to storm a ballroom where President Donald Trump and others were attending the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, one well-dressed and cool under pressure plainclothes agent went viral after whipping out a Heckler & Koch MP7. The MP7 is a high-end personal defense weapon (PDW) that is already something of a pop culture fascination, being famously used by SEAL Team Six and featured in countless video games. Unlike many of its counterparts, it also remains unavailable in any configuration on the general firearms civilian marketplace. Regardless, the memes have come fast and furious and have made this still unidentified expressionless agent, and his futuristic-looking weapon, internet stars.

What agency this individual belongs to still is not entirely clear, with the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and U.S. Capitol Police having been raised as possibilities. The latter is very likely to be the agency in question, having adopted the MP7 for its Dignitary Protection Division following another politically-motivated shooting nearly a decade ago.

Cole Tomas Allen was subdued and arrested at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C., on Saturday after authorities say he attempted to shoot his way past security to get to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. He is said to have been armed with a .38-caliber pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun, as well as knives, at the time. A Secret Service agent was hit by gunfire, but the projectile was reportedly stopped by a combination of their protective vest and cellphone, and they are expected to recover. Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, sent a message to family members stating his intention to target members of the Trump administration right before the attack.

The President and First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other top members of the administration were at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, and other members of Congress were also present. A host of other dignitaries were in attendance, as well. Trump and other administration officials were moved first to secure locations on site, before returning to the White House after authorities asked everyone to leave the venue.

It was during that initial response that the plainclothes agent emerged carrying the MP7. A photographer actually caught the individual pulling the gun from what looks to be a Crye Precision EXP-series pack. The MP7 in this case was also fitted with a non-magnifying T2 red dot optic on a raised Unity mount, both of which are made by Aimpoint. What appears to be a Surefire XVL2-IRC laser aiming and light module was also spotted mounted on top of the gun in front of the optic. It also had a collapsible foregrip.

Since Heckler & Koch first introduced the MP7 in 2001, it has been presented as ideally suited to being discreetly carried by individuals tasked with VIP protection duties. In its standard configuration with its built-in buttstock collapsed, the gun is around 16 and a half inches long. Without a magazine loaded or any accessories fitted, it weighs just under four pounds. The MP7 is a bit heavier than the smallest version of Heckler & Koch’s famed MP5 submachine gun, the MP5K, but also has far more modern ergonomics and controls.

MP7A1 vs MP7A2: H&K’s Modern PDW

In addition, the 4.7x30mm round that the MP7 fires is designed to offer excellent low-recoil, armor-penetrating, and range characteristics in a very compact package, especially compared to traditional pistol rounds. Due to its relatively tiny rifle-style ammunition, Heckler & Koch’s gun is regularly compared to the FN P90, a very different weapon design-wise, but which was built around a broadly similar cartridge, the 5.7x28mm. Both offer submachine gun size, but with armor-piercing capabilities that their pistol caliber cousins cannot offer. The accessibility to increasingly capable body armor by civilians is a main reason why units have moved from submarine guns to guns in the PDW class, including the MP7 and FN P90, as well as compact assault rifles.

The MP7’s focus on lower felt recoil also helps increase accuracy. Altogether, the gun, with its rate of fire of around 950 rounds per minute, is intended to offer a potent amount of firepower that a shooter can get on target easily and keep it there, even when drawing quickly from concealment under pressure.

Despite still having a relatively small user base today, as noted earlier, the MP7 has attained a certain spot in popular culture, including video games and movies, in large part due to the gun’s use by SEAL Team Six. This is the same unit, also known as the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), responsible for the raid that led to the death of Al Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden in 2011.

“I ran with a suppressed MP7 submachine gun on a few missions, but lacked the knockdown power of my H&K 416 [5.56x45mm assault rifle]. The submachine gun came in handy during ship boarding, in the jungle, or when weight, size, and the ability to stay extremely quiet were needed,” retired Navy SEAL Matt Bissonnette (writing under the pen name Mark Owen) wrote in his 2012 book No Easy Day. “Several times we shot fighters in one room with a suppressed MP7 and their comrades next door didn’t wake up. The H&K 416s didn’t compare to the MP7 when you were trying to be extremely quiet.”

SEAL Team 6/DEVGRU kit. MP7 and HK416 in matching camo. The real gem is the ‘Pirate Gun,’ the sawed-off M79 40mm break-open grenade launcher made famous by ‘Mark Owen’s’ book No Easy Day. pic.twitter.com/IzwEwun4ZX

— Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) October 6, 2020

MP7s are also in service worldwide with a variety of conventional and special operations military units, as well as law enforcement agencies, including in the United States.

At the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the agent’s stoic action movie mystique and tailored suit also upped the ‘cool factor’ when paired with his intriguing MP7 armament.

All of this has now also contributed to the images of the MP7 agent at the Washington Hilton this weekend going viral on social media. The general visual of the MP7 being drawn from the pack has also prompted comparisons to iconic photos of Secret Service agent Robert Wanko producing a Uzi submachine gun from a custom briefcase during the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981. The MP7-armed agent spotted over the weekend is already developing a similar following online. 

As noted, there still remains something of a question as to what agency the MP7-armed individual seen at the Washington Hilton on Saturday belongs to.

The U.S. Capitol Police is a particularly distinct possibility based on its very public adoption of the MP7 for use by its Dignitary Protection Division (DPD). Agents from DPD would have had a clear reason to be among those providing security at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, given the presence of Speaker Johnson and other legislators. In the United States, the Speaker of the House is an extremely important position, with whoever is serving in that role being second in line to succeed the President if need be.

The USCP’s Dignitary Protection Division (DPD)

The U.S. Capitol Police first began acquiring MP7s as a result of four people, including then-U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (another Louisiana Republican), being shot at the annual Congressional Baseball Game in 2017. The gunman, James T. Hodgkinson, was also wounded in the ensuing firefight and subsequently died. Authorities concluded that Hodgkinson had deliberately targeted Republican lawmakers at the event.

“It should be noted that we do have the ability to deploy another weapon, the M4, the [5.56x45mm] assault rifle. We have that ability today, and we deploy that when necessary,” then-Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police Matthew Verderosa told members of Congress at a hearing in 2019. “The MP7 is a pilot program that the Board has directed us to engage in, in terms of providing a weapon that meets the needs that sort of bridges the gap between a true assault rifle and a handgun.”

“We currently have a [sic] MP7 assault weapon that is specifically utilized by our Dignitary Protection Division agents,” Assistant Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police Sean Gallagher also said in 2022. “I believe almost 60 to 70 percent of our entire DPD is trained on that weapon.”

Gallagher’s comments came in an interview with the House of Representatives’ Select Committee investigating the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The individual with the MP7 at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner may still belong to another agency, though this seems less likely to be the case. The Secret Service has been brought up as another possibility. However, it is known to have adopted the P90, and it is unclear why it would also have the functionally similar MP7 in inventory. Interestingly, on April 24, the Secret Service also awarded a contract to J.P. Enterprises, Inc., for an unspecified “9mm Pistol Caliber Carbine,” which could be based on that company’s existing JP-5 or GMR-15 designs.

FBI has also been put forward based on the badge the individual has on their belt. It features an eagle on top with wings that are not fully connected with the rest of the badge, as is the case with what the FBI issues to special agents. The FBI is also not known to be a user of the MP7, though this does not rule out the possibility. At the same time, members of the U.S. Capitol Police have been seen wearing badges with eagles with similarly detached wings over the years, as well.

TWZ has reached out to the Secret Service, the FBI, and the U.S. Capitol Police for any additional information they can provide. FBI declined to comment.

More broadly speaking, though the response looks to have largely worked as intended, the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has raised questions about security protocols, especially around Trump at public events. Trump, both as President and as a candidate, has already been the target of multiple assassination attempts. He was notably wounded during one attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024. The Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies were widely criticized over that incident.

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting may well trigger further reviews of tactics, techniques, and procedures at the Secret Service and other agencies. Whether it prompts the adoption of new weapons, like the U.S. Capitol Police’s adoption of the MP7 in the wake of the 2017 attack on the Congressional Baseball Game, remains to be seen.

If nothing else, the suit-wearing expressionless agent carrying the MP7 has already been cemented as a core image of the shooting incident at the Washington Hilton this weekend.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com

Budget airline Ryanair has told passengers they “do not look cool” wearing sunglasses on board in a cheeky social media post which sparked lively reactions from British holidaymakers

Ryanair has issued a “please note” as it urges passengers to cease wearing a particular item while on board.

Ryanair, which operates from several UK airports including Belfast, Birmingham and Manchester, is a favourite amongst British holidaymakers and tourists throughout the summer season. With Easter now passed and attention shifting to the middle months of the year, the budget carrier has issued an important update for its passengers. It stated: “Please note: Passengers do not look cool wearing sunglasses on board.”

Ryanair competes with Jet2, Easyjet and TUI, alongside the likes of British Airways, Wizz Air, Lufthansa and other budget and mid-range domestic and international operators, Birmingham Live reports.

Reacting to the warning, one holidaymaker commented: “I have never understand why airlines don’t first board a plane, from the seats in the back. It will be a lot quicker boarding.”

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Another holidaymaker posted online: “No mess with handluggage etc. Why would anyone sit in the plane longer than necessary? Because you have ‘priority boarding.'”

Another stated: “The biggest blight on most flights is “Carry on Luggage”. It slows down the whole boarding process as well as the exit procedure. Passengers at the front half of the aircraft having to put their luggage in the back half of the aircraft causing chaos when landing. Especially as the numpties who insist on standing immediately on touch down, and block the route to your bag.”

One amused commenter laughed: “It’ll come as a blow to Tom Cruise – I guess he’ll be cancelling all his Ryanair bookings then,” referring to Ryanair’s post featuring a snap of the Hollywood star sporting sunglasses as Maverick in Top Gun.

“Gotta shield our eyes from that highlighter-yellow cabin,” another holidaymaker quipped on social media.

“Looking at Ryanair surroundings requires a filter I’m afraid,” a further passenger chuckled in response to the Facebook post.

Another weighed in with: “If it’s good enough for the driver, it’s good enough for the passengers.

“You dont look cool wearing them in youre house either…..,” came yet another response.

It comes after we published a list of items Ryanair has now banned tourists from packing in their suitcases and carry-on luggage. These include guns, firearms and other devices that discharge projectiles. Devices capable of, or appearing capable of, causing serious injury by discharging a projectile are also on the list.

The budget airline has issued a message to its passengers, urging them to ‘please note’ the announcement as it ‘does not look cool’ – but many people were not impressed by the new rule

Budget Irish airline Ryanair has taken aim at travellers who persist in wearing one particular accessory aboard aircraft. This follows the airline previously advising passengers to ‘please stop wearing’ jeans during flights.

For several people, being comfortable while travelling on a plane ranks amongst their top priorities. And given that remaining seated in the same spot for extended periods can be decidedly uncomfortable, particularly when you’re short on legroom, selecting the appropriate attire might be your sole opportunity for achieving comfort. For many, this translates to donning joggers or tracksuits. However, sometimes it’s the accessories that can enhance comfort even further.

This becomes especially important on Ryanair, where seating is typically more confined owing to the airline’s efforts to accommodate as many seats as feasible, forming part of their strategy to maintain ticket prices as low as possible – despite recent threats that prices might go up do to jet fuel prices.

Renowned for their budget-friendly fares, the carrier has also established a reputation on social media, where they frequently poke fun at their own passengers, and jokingly threaten to introduce even more regulations and charges than they currently impose – such as extra legroom seats or late check-in fees.

Nevertheless, Ryanair has now criticised travellers who insist on wearing one particular type of accessory aboard aircraft, claiming it ‘does not look cool‘.

Posting on their Facebook page, the airline issued a statement to their passengers. They wrote: “Please note: Passengers do not look cool wearing sunglasses on board.”

However, many weren’t convinced, as numerous people quickly flocked to the comment section to express their own views.

“Could be true, but we don’t care,” one person posted. Others went on to suggest it was ‘necessary’ due to the vibrant interior of Ryanair flights.

One person contended: “Gotta shield our eyes from that highlighter-yellow cabin.”

“I put mine on so I can sleep,” another person clarified. Another concurred and stated: “Sunglasses at night-flight for a better sleep.”

Someone else remarked: “With sunglasses on during the flight the 3 days vacation lasts longer.”

Nevertheless, some sided with the airline, as one person commented: “Only pilots should wear sunglasses.”

This isn’t the first occasion Ryanair has joked about and poked fun at its passengers. Recently, they threatened to introduce a ‘toilet usage fee’ for any passengers wishing to use the lavatory facilities onboard an aircraft.

However, many travellers soon cottoned on this was a joke, as they noted it sounded like an April Fool’s prank that was posted a few days early.

Passport holders have been urged to avoid wearing a common item of clothing when flying. When travelling on planes, there are certain items you should never wear

Every day, thousands of individuals globe-trot, but passport holders are now being advised to steer clear of a certain popular garment. When jetting off to sunnier climes, it’s only natural to adjust your wardrobe accordingly and prepare for the balmy weather; however, there’s a particular item you should avoid donning when boarding a plane.

You might be surprised to learn that your choice of attire can significantly influence both your travel experience and your safety. That’s why travellers are being urged to refrain from wearing this specific item when embarking on a flight in future, and it’s advice everyone would do well to heed.

The issue was recently spotlighted by Polly Ann, who goes by the handle Travel with Polly Ann on Instagram, and regularly imparts valuable travel tips to her multitude of followers. Unbeknownst to many, certain items of clothing are best stowed away in your suitcase when flying.

Polly Ann enumerates several garments she personally avoids, but one stands out as crucial from a travel safety perspective. It could have serious implications in the event of an emergency.

She divulged what people need to know in a frank post. It’s advice worth heeding, as it could greatly affect your travel experience.

Imparting wisdom to passport holders, she stated: “Things never to wear on a plane. Open-toed shoes.

“Sandals and open-toed footwear are discouraged because aircraft floors and bathrooms aren’t very clean and they don’t protect your feet in case of an emergency.

“Offensive clothing. Anything with profanity, lewd graphics or offensive messaging could lead to being asked to change or even denied boarding under some airline dress codes.”

She proceeds to mention several other items she’d steer clear of but, regarding safety, footwear is particularly crucial. Whilst they’re not typically prohibited on aircraft, travellers are actually discouraged from wearing sandals.

There are several reasons why it’s advisable to avoid them when flying. You might never have considered they can actually present hazards.

Why should they be avoided?

Experts generally recommend passengers avoid wearing sandals or open-toed footwear on flights due to safety risks during an emergency evacuation, the possibility of foot injuries from falling objects and hygiene issues.

If you do choose to wear them, it’s recommended you also wear socks. There are multiple reasons behind this guidance.

During an emergency, such as an evacuation, sandals can slip off, making it challenging to run or walk across harsh surfaces like tarmac, broken glass or wreckage. Additionally, aircraft floors are frequently dirty and chilly, meaning wearing sandals leaves your feet vulnerable to bacteria.

Aeroplanes are typically cold, and feet have a tendency to swell during lengthy flights, rendering the footwear increasingly uncomfortable. You may also be required to remove sandals at security checkpoints, which could extend your time getting through the airport.

Hence, it’s simpler all around if you refrain from wearing them. There are a few reasons why they could land you in a bit of trouble.

SINGER Harry Styles takes a stroll with girlfriend Zoe Kravitz — who shows her dedication to him by wearing his merchandise.

The couple were seen in New York with actress Zoe, 37, wearing a £35 baseball cap with the word “Kiss” on it — a reference to Harry’s new album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.

Harry, 32, wore white sunglasses for their date.

We revealed earlier how fans reckon his brand new tattoo is a poignant tribute to his late 1D bandmate Liam Payne.

It came just days after the Aperture hitmaker, 32, spoke out for the first time on the dad-of-one’s passing.

Harry, who was in the group with Liam from 2010 to 2016, said living his life “to the fullest” is the best way he can “honour” his friend.

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Now eagle-eyed viewers have spotted Harry in the crowd of US TV show Saturday Night Live donning a surprise new inking on his right arm.

He had swirling writing etched in black on his upper arm that spelled out the word Slinky.

One fan took to TikTok to muse: “Harry Styles’ slinky tattoo that people suspect harry got in honour of Liam Payne’s love for Toy Story”.

Slinky is a much-loved spring dog that features in the Disney Pixar movies, and is a loyal pal to protagonist Woody.

Another user then commented: “He loved him so much”.

One mused: “And that’s the arm that he said was going to be only for his family…. (he said that years ago it may not even be true anymore but it’s cute)”.