Californians grapple with revelation that press gala gunman suspect was neighbour
Key Points:
- Cole Thomas Allen, charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, lived with his parents in a quiet Los Angeles suburb, surprising neighbors familiar with the family.
- Allen was arrested after allegedly carrying multiple weapons and engaging in a gunfire exchange that injured a Secret Service agent; prosecutors say he planned to target members of the Trump administration.
- Neighbors described the area as uneventful and expressed shock at Allen's actions, emphasizing their sympathy for his parents and frustration with media intrusion.
- Allen was known to work quietly at a local tutoring center and had previously studied at CalTech, attending a nearby church where he was remembered as a quiet, studious individual.
- Local residents and acquaintances expressed disbelief and sadness, noting that Allen did not display obvious signs of his alleged intentions or political views.