‘Bizarre’: Former student of White House shooting suspect says Cole Allen seemed like a perfectly average guy
One former student said that Cole Thomas Allen came across as a completely average person.
A former student of White House shooting suspect Cole Allen said he seemed like a ‘completely average guy’ who had no chance of doing anything like what he did. When Cole Thomas Allen, 31, opened fire outside the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, a former student said, “It’s weird.”The Caltech graduate also recently won “Teacher of the Month.” Allen had a gun, a handgun and a knife and was a guest at the Washington Hilton where the dinner was being held.Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch told NBC News that Allen told police he was going after “administration officials,” but that he was probably not targeting anyone in particular and was alone.A former classmate said, Allen was never able to do anything like that. George Daghlian, who was in the Caltech Christian Fellowship Club with Allen, told the Wall Street Journal that he was shocked.He also earned a master’s degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills.According to a LinkedIn post, Allen worked as a teacher at C2 Education, a private tutoring and test-prep company, where he was named teacher of the month in December 2024.According to voting records, Allen was registered as having no party preference. According to Federal Election Commission filings, he donated $25 to ActBlue with the memo “Determined for Harris to run for president in 2024.”Allen lives in Torrance, about 15 miles from downtown Los Angeles. The FBI raided the house late Saturday night and also talked to neighbors. Allen is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. He has been charged with two counts – use of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on federal officers using a dangerous weapon.According to reports, Allen apparently trekked from Los Angeles to Chicago before heading to Washington, DC.
‘Trump and administration officials’: Acting AG reveals who was the gunman’s target in WH shooting
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that investigators believe the gunman who tried to enter the ballroom at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was targeting members of the Trump administration.“It appears that he really targeted people who worked in the administration, possibly including the president,” Blanch told Meet the Press.Law enforcement officials who examined the suspect’s electronic devices and writings initially believe his intent was to target members of the administration attending the dinner. He attempted to enter the ballroom, but was thrown to the ground in a chaotic scene that resulted in shots being fired, President Donald Trump being escorted off the stage and guests hiding under tables.Blanch said authorities believe the suspect traveled by train from California to Chicago and then to Washington, where he checked in as a guest at a hotel hosting a high-profile event Saturday night.Investigators have not publicly released the suspect’s name, but two law enforcement officials familiar with the case identified him to The Associated Press as Cole Thomas Allen, 31, of Torrance. Police also visited Allen’s California home.Blanch said the suspect is believed to have purchased the firearms he possesses over the past few years. He said the suspect is “not actively cooperating” with the investigation and is expected to face multiple charges on Monday.“At this point it appears he is a lone actor, a lone gunman,” D.C. Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll said.
Stayed at the Hilton, no metal detector: How suspect bypassed security, opened fire at WH correspondents’ dinner
The suspect was identified as Cole Thomas Allen.
A White House Correspondents’ Association dinner celebrating freedom of the press erupted Saturday evening when an armed man breached security at the Washington Hilton and exchanged gunfire with law enforcement officers before being taken into custody.Investigators believe the suspect was able to get close to the incident due to gaps in the outer layers of security. Officials said he was staying at the hotel, which allowed him to enter as a guest and undergo external screening.
After the hotel was closed to the public from 2 p.m. until the 8 p.m. dinner, entry was restricted to hotel guests, ticket holders, invited attendees, and those with official documentation from the White House Correspondents’ Association.Officials also said that there were no metal detectors at the hotel entrances, with a secure perimeter established only close to the ballroom where the event was being held.A volunteer described how the suspect used an unsecured area inside the hotel to prepare the attack. Helen Mabus, quoted by the New York Post, said he was in a “temporary room” near the roof level entrance where bar carts were stored and that “there was no security” at the time. “He was in that room […] He took it out of a bag or something,” she said, adding that the weapon “was long” and “didn’t look like a normal gun.”He said he partially took the safety off while handling the weapon and then put it together […] Ran towards the stairs to go to the ballroom.Jeff Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department said the suspect “attacked a U.S. Secret Service checkpoint” while carrying a shotgun, a handgun and several knives. He was pinned to the ground and handcuffed and it appeared that he was a “lone” gunman.According to the Associated Press, the suspect was identified as Cole Thomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California. The U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia said he has been charged with aggravated firearms and assault.Security for the annual event is usually tight when the President attends. Inside the ballroom, additional measures were taken, including the Secret Service maintaining another perimeter around the President that included a buffer separating him and others seated at the main table from the rest of the attendees. Agents were stationed at the front of the stage and in its wings with heavily armed counter-attack teams ready to respond.Law enforcement officials said their “multi-layered security” worked as designed, even as the incident highlighted how the suspect was able to pass through less secure areas before reaching the interior checkpoint.Trump said the incident underscores why he wants to build a $400 million ballroom equipped with the latest security features on the White House grounds, a project that is currently subject to litigation.
‘Put it together, ran to the ballroom’: Volunteer remembers WH gunman gathering ‘long weapon’ in ‘makeshift room’
Cole Allen identified as suspect in White House correspondents’ dinner shooting incident (ANI)
A White House correspondents’ dinner volunteer said the suspected gunman was able to assemble a “long weapon” inside an unsecured, lightly monitored area near a roof-level entrance near the ballroom before the attack.The witness, Helen Mabus, a volunteer working at the event, described a “temporary room” near the entrance where bar carts were being kept and where “there was no security” at the time.
“He was in that room […] He took it out of a bag or something,” Mabus said, adding that the weapon “was long” and “didn’t look like a normal gun,” Mabus said, as quoted by the New York Post.Mabus said the suspect was partially out of sight as he handled the weapon inside the room before heading toward the main venue. “He put it together and […] “Ran for the stairs to go to the ballroom,” she said.The gunman then began firing in multiple directions as guests and staff tried to flee.“It seemed like he was shooting everywhere,” Mabus said, estimating that he heard “at least 10 shots.”He said the firing caused immediate panic, with people screaming and running as armed personnel responded. Mabus said she ran in the opposite direction and did not see the suspect being held.The gunman, identified as Cole Allen of Torrance, California, was arrested after reportedly entering the Washington Hilton hotel and heading toward the ballroom, where President Trump and about 2,500 guests had gathered.Trump described him as potentially a “lone wolf guy” who “looked very bad.”The shooting began near the indoor security screening area after 8.30 pm, when salads were being served to guests. The Secret Service escorted Trump from the room, while members of his Cabinet hid under tables before being escorted out.A law enforcement officer was shot, with the bullet hitting his bulletproof vest. “When he ran into that checkpoint he had a shotgun, a handgun and several knives,” said D.C. Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll.“At this point it appears he is a lone actor, a lone gunman,” Carroll said. “There does not appear to be any risk to the public.”Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said Saturday that Allen was charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer.Dramatic video posted by Trump on social media shows Allen opening fire and running toward the ballroom.A LinkedIn profile matching his name and photo describes him as a teacher at C2 Education, a tutoring and test preparation company. According to social media posts, the company honored him with “Teacher of the Month” in December 2024.
Trump’s Golden Dome missile shield faces budget shortfall despite Pentagon pressure
President Donald Trump’s ambitious Golden Dome homeland missile defense initiative faces growing doubts over funding, congressional support and technical feasibility, even as top Pentagon officials insist the project is moving forward, according to a report by Politico.Senior Pentagon officials gathered at Fort Story, Virginia, on Thursday to show off progress on the program, which aims to create a nationwide shield against threats ranging from intercontinental ballistic missiles to drones. But behind the public optimism, the project faces enormous financial and political hurdles.
The Golden Dome system is expected to cost between $185 billion and $3 trillion, Politico reports, while the Pentagon is seeking $17 billion through budget reconciliation next year and only $400 million through the normal appropriations process.That strategy is already facing resistance from Republicans in Congress, who appear reluctant to trust reconciliation before the crucial midterm elections.Ken Calvert, chairman of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, told POLITICO, “There is [reconciliation] The most efficient, effective way to spend money? In my mind, no.”The Golden Dome concept is designed to protect the United States from multiple threats by using a network of existing and next-generation systems linked by artificial intelligence capable of sharing battlefield data in real time. Major components are expected to be operational by 2028 to meet Trump’s deadline.Leading the Pentagon effort, General Mike Guerlein defended the feasibility of the program.“To the skeptics, let me say this,” Guettlin said. “The Golden Dome can be achieved. It is not a single point of failure.” He said the project aimed to strengthen global stability “by creating deep doubt in the minds of adversaries. They will not win.”However, Guettlin acknowledged that many of the technologies involved are classified and declined to provide detailed expense details.“I can’t tell you exactly where the money is going,” he said, adding that the system would combine land, air and space-based assets. “We’re actually buying hardware. We’re not prototyping.”An initial component is already undergoing domestic testing, Politico reported. The Army’s Long Range Persistent Surveillance System installed at Fort Story uses a 360-degree sensor array to detect cruise missiles, drones and aircraft.However, lawmakers have expressed frustration at the lack of detailed consultation from the administration.Representative George Whitesides said that communications had not yet “reached the level of detailed spending plans.”He said, “I have no objection to not throwing a lot of money out there without having a very cohesive vision of what it should do.”Questions have also been raised on capacity. Guettlin recently warned lawmakers that space-based interceptors, considered the centerpiece of the shield, could be eliminated if costs become prohibitive.“We’re very focused on affordability.” Guettlin told the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee. “If we can’t do it affordably, we won’t go into production.”Golden Dome received about $23 billion through the summer reconciliation package last year, but Politico said those funds were delayed, frustrating defense contractors seeking the contract.Jeff Hanke, president of space systems at L3Harris Technologies, said the industry had expected the process to move faster.“We just have to continue to work with them, share with them, help them move as fast as they can.”Politico reported that the White House planned to move the Golden Dome into the base federal budget after 2027 through a dedicated “Golden Dome for America Fund”, with estimated allocations of $14.7 billion in 2028, $15 billion in 2029, $16 billion in 2030, and $15.8 billion in 2031.For now, the future of Trump’s signature defense project largely depends on a Republican-controlled Congress that remains cautious about another reconciliation fight. Acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst said alternative options were already being considered.“If the White House and Congress decide reconciliation is not right, we will go back to the White House and work with Congress to develop a new strategy.” [path]Hurst said.
Meet Emma Rodriguez: U.S. Army pilot and wife of newly appointed Dolphins linebacker Jacob Rodriguez international sports news
When Jacob Rodriguez was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 43rd overall selection in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the moment quickly moved beyond football, as the broadcast showed him embracing his wife, Emma Rodriguez, whose career as an active-duty U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot brought a different kind of attention to the scene.
Emma Rodriguez: Career and Background
Emma Rodriguez serves in the United States Army as a 15A Aviation Officer, flying the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, a central aircraft used in many military operations, placing her in a relatively small and highly trained group of military aviators. She graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2023 and remains on active duty with an expected deployment in the coming months, confirmed in detail in an interview with Fox News. Still, his role carries a level of responsibility that stands on its own, and that dichotomy became part of the public reaction in real time, as shown in the now widely shared draft-night video of Jacob Rodriguez standing up when his name is called, pulling Emma Rodriguez into a long hug and kissing her cheek while family and friends cheer around him, a moment he later reshared on Instagram with the caption Kiya: “We’re going to Miami!!!!!!!!!!”.
Jacob Rodriguez: path to the NFL
Rodriguez arrived in Miami after a college career at Texas Tech that made him one of the most productive defensive players in the country. He led the entire FBS with seven forced fumbles, recorded a team-high 128 tackles, added 11 tackles for loss, four interceptions and six pass breakups, and in the process won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Bednarik Award as the nation’s top defender, as well as the Butkus Award as the top linebacker. He also finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, underscoring the extent of his impact throughout the season. Prior to Texas Tech, he spent the 2021 college football season with Virginia, and he played his final collegiate game at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Dolphins, where Texas Tech was defeated 23–0 by the Oregon Ducks in the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinals, a game in which he recorded 11 total tackles.Speaking about his draft moment with ESPN, Rodriguez said, “I saw my name pop up where I was going to go and it echoed behind me and I was excited to go there.” He also talked about Miami’s history with Texas Tech linebackers: “Miami has a great track record… so I’m excited to join,” referencing a line that includes players like Jordan Brooks.
A relationship takes shape over time
The relationship between Jacob and Emma began during their teenage years in North Texas, when she attended Wichita Falls High School and he went to Rider High School, and it continued through the years of long distance as both took difficult paths. They got engaged in July 2023 and, in details that surprised many people around them, got married later the same day, formalizing a relationship that had already taken shape over distance and shared ambition. For much of that time, they were living apart due to Emma’s military commitments and Rodriguez’s development as a college prospect, with Rodriguez describing what she called “constant communication” to maintain stability as both careers progressed.
Shared moments, different worlds
Shortly before the draft, Rodriguez visited a flight simulator with his wife, later telling People.com that it gave him a new perspective. “I saw how she flies… it’s very stressful,” he said, noting that seeing her in her element gave him a deeper appreciation for what she does. This perspective shows how their careers ran parallel rather than intersecting, with one focused on the NFL and the other focused on active military service.
Jacob Rodriguez and Emma Rodriguez/Image: Instagram
what comes next
The next phase of their lives will continue that pattern, as Rodriguez begins his professional career in Miami while Emma prepares for deployment, further increasing the distance that has already defined their relationship. Rodriguez’s selection marks the beginning of his NFL career, but it also reveals a parallel story, where the demands of professional sports and military service go hand in hand, each with its own weight.
‘I’ve studied assassinations’: Trump explains why shootings keep happening to him during White House dinner
Following the shooting at the White House correspondents dinner in Washington on Saturday night, US President Donald Trump said he has “studied assassinations” and suggested that leaders with the most influence are often targeted.Trump made the comments while speaking to reporters after a shooter approached the site of a media event, sparking panic and a major security response.“I respectfully ask, why do you think this keeps happening to you?” a reporter asked Trump after the chaotic event.Trump responded by linking the attacks to his influence as president.“Well, you know, I’ve studied assassinations,” Trump said. “And let me tell you about the most influential people, the people who do the most – you take a look at Abraham Lincoln… The people who make the biggest impact are the ones they follow.”“I hate to say I’m honored by this, but I’ve done a lot of things,” Trump said. “We’ve changed this country, and there are a lot of people who are not happy with it. So I think that’s the answer.”Trump, who survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in 2024, also reflected on the personal risks of political life.“I lead a perfectly normal life, considering, you know, it’s a dangerous life,” he said.“A lot of other people, you know, you read stories where they become basket cases. To be honest, I’m not a basket case.”Despite his often aggressive relationship with the media, Trump took a softer stance toward reporters after the incident, saying that the atmosphere following the scare was marked by unity.She said there was “overwhelming love and coming together” after the event was disrupted due to the shooting.Trump also said he had prepared a speech for the dinner, which he described as “the most inappropriate speech I’ve ever given,” but joked that it would be “very boring” now that the event is rescheduled.The president also used the moment to criticize security at the Washington Hilton, where the correspondents’ dinner was held, and reiterated his push for a new ballroom under construction at the White House.Trump said the hotel was “not particularly safe” and that the incident reflected the need for a planned $400 million White House ballroom.
Developer, Caltech passed out – White House dinner shooter Cole Thomas Allen a ‘highly educated tutor’
The suspect who opened fire at the White House correspondents’ dinner on Saturday has been identified by security officials as Cole Thomas Allen of California.According to United States federal agencies, the 31-year-old gunman will be charged with two counts of “use of a firearm during a crime of violence” and “assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.”“The suspect passed the outermost layer of security at the event at which President Donald Trump was scheduled to speak because he was a guest of the hotel.teacher of the monthSocial media posts matching Allen’s suggest he is a tutor and amateur video game developer.A May 2025 profile picture of Cole Thomas Allen, of Torrance, California, appears to match the man in a photo of the alleged attacker being taken into custody that was posted by President Donald Trump on Saturday night, according to news agency Associated Press.The photo posted on social networking site LinkedIn shows her in a cap and gown after earning a master’s degree in computer science from California State University-Dominguez Hills.His LinkedIn profile says he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena in 2017 and lists his involvement there in a Christian student fellowship and a campus group that fights Nerf guns.A local ABC station in Los Angeles included an interview with Allen during his senior year of college as part of a story about new technologies to help people as they age. He also developed a prototype of a new type of emergency brake for wheelchairs.Additionally, according to federal campaign finance records, Allen contributed $25 to the Democratic Party’s political action committee in support of Kamala Harris running for president in 2024.Allen’s online resume states that he worked for the past six years at C2 Education, a company that provides admissions counseling and test preparation services to interested college students. Allen was listed as the company’s Teacher of the Month in a 2024 post on the company’s Facebook page. The company did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Saturday night.Alan also posted that he has developed a video game for the Steam platform based on molecular chemistry. A post in Allen’s name stated that he was working to develop a new “top-down shooter” combat game set in outer space.‘sick man’Trump shared footage of the shooter on social media platforms, showing him lying on the ground with his hands tied behind his back.Addressing a press conference after the shooting, Trump said that the suspect was armed with several weapons before he was stopped by the Secret Service.“A man armed with several weapons attacked a security post, and was shot down by some very brave members of the Secret Service… One officer was shot, but survived…the vest worked. “I just spoke to the officer and he’s doing well,” Trump said.The President also said that charges would be filed soon.He said, “I hope you’ll see charges filed soon. The charges should be self-evident given the conduct, but as you’ll hear, there will be a number of charges related to the shooting ranging from firearms possession and anything else we can bring to this individual.”Describing the suspect as a “sick man”, Trump said he had been captured and warned that similar actions could be taken again.The US President said, “The guy has been captured. They’re going to his apartment. I think he lives in California and he’s a sick man… I said, very importantly, that we will do it again within the next 30 days, and we will make it bigger, and better, and even better.”
Countries with most millionaires in 2026: America tops the global list, followed by China and France. world News
The distribution of global wealth in 2026 shows a pattern that feels both familiar and a bit of a change. The United States continues to dominate the list of high net worth individuals and maintains a lead that remains difficult to close. Also, countries like India are starting to attract attention for their rapid pace of wealth creation. Experts say this reflects broader economic changes, including digital growth, investment flows and an evolving business environment. The latest data on high-net-worth individuals by country paints a clear picture of where the world’s ultra-rich live today and how that balance may change in the years to come.The global distribution of high net worth individuals still favors developed economies, with the United States clearly leading. China follows, while European countries maintain stable positions. At the same time, emerging economies like India are showing signs of rapid growth. Check out the 10 countries with highest net worth by country, according to the WorldAtlas 2026 report.
Top countries by high net worth population 2026
High net worth individuals by country 2026
United States of America
The United States continues to lead by a wide margin with over 18 million high net worth individuals. The difference between America and other countries is not small. This appears to be consistent across all metrics in the dataset. The second and third figures are particularly high, suggesting strong activity across investment and asset categories. This level of spread indicates a broad and mature financial system. The presence of large capital markets and a strong private sector likely supports this scale. The numbers indicate size as well as depth.
China
China remains in second place with over 5.5 million high net worth individuals. The difference with the United States is noticeable, although China is still well above the rest of the world.The data suggest a different structure. The second and third metrics are much lower than the US. This may indicate that wealth is more concentrated in certain areas. Industrial development and large-scale enterprises appear to play an important role in shaping these figures.
France, Japan and United Kingdom
France, Japan, and the United Kingdom show similar levels of wealth distribution. Their high net worth population falls within a narrow range between 2.3 million and 2.6 million. France has recorded slightly higher numbers, while Japan and the UK follow closely. The metrics across all categories remain relatively balanced, suggesting stable economic conditions. These countries do not show much variation in any single indicator. The pattern reflects stability rather than rapid change.
Germany
Germany’s total numbers are close to those of the United Kingdom, although its internal figures are clearer. The third and fifth marks are higher than that of many peers. This suggests a strong industrial and export-driven base. Wealth creation appears to be supported by specific sectors rather than wide spread. The data indicates concentrated economic strength.
Canada and Australia
Both Canada and Australia produce stable figures across all categories. Canada has a slight lead, although the margin is limited. The distribution of numbers suggests balanced economic activity. There are no sharp rises or falls across all metrics. This may indicate stable financial systems and consistent wealth creation over time. The trend appears to be gradual and controlled.
Italy
Italy has just over 1.2 million high net worth individuals recorded, placing it at the lower end of this group. The figures remain relatively similar across various metrics. There aren’t any extreme highs, but there aren’t any sharp drops either. This suggests a stable economic environment with moderate wealth distribution.
14 killed, 38 injured in bomb attack in Colombia, weeks before presidential elections
At least 14 people were killed and 38 others were wounded in a highway bomb attack in southwestern Colombia on Saturday, underscoring a surge in violence just weeks before the country’s presidential election.The bomb was detonated after the attackers stopped traffic by using a bus and another vehicle to block the road.Authorities said the blast occurred in the conflict-hit Cauca department, a coca-growing region long plagued by unrest, and blamed dissident factions of the now-disintegrated FARC guerrilla group for the attack, as cited by AFP.“Those who carried out this attack… are terrorists, fascists and drug traffickers. I want our best soldiers to fight them,” President Gustavo Petro said in a post on X.The president blamed Colombia’s most wanted fugitive Ivan Mordisco for the attack, drawing parallels between him and slain drug lord Pablo Escobar.“So far, we are reporting 14 dead and more than 38 injured, including five minors,” Cauca Governor Octavio Guzman announced on Saturday night.A police source said rescue teams were continuing to search for several people reported missing.The explosion on the Pan-American Highway damaged buses and vans, overturned several vehicles, and left a large crater on the road. The bodies of the victims were lying amid the debris, covered with sheets, and emergency teams were working at the scene.As cited by the AP, the bombing is the latest in a series of attacks targeting public infrastructure, with at least 26 incidents recorded in southwestern Colombia over the past two days.These include a shooting at a police station in the rural area of Jamundi and an attack on a civil aviation radar facility in El Tambo, where authorities intercepted and defused three explosives-laden drones earlier Saturday.Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said Saturday that authorities had increased military and police deployment in affected areas.Colombia has long battled armed groups that finance their operations through drug trafficking, illegal mining and extortion and often try to influence elections through violence. Dissident factions of the FARC, which rejected the 2016 peace accord, have also been accused of attempting to derail stalled peace efforts under President Gustavo Petro.Security has emerged as a central issue ahead of the May 31 presidential election, with political violence again in the spotlight last June when conservative leader Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot in broad daylight while campaigning in the capital Bogotá.