Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyCalifornia Home Becomes Key in Investigation of White House Dinner Shooting
A neighborhood in Torrance, California, became the focus of an overnight investigation as law enforcement officials searched a residence believed to be the home of a man accused of firing shots near the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C. Secret Service and FBI agents inspected a house in South Bay to gather evidence against Cole Tomas Allen, 31, who allegedly exchanged gunfire with authorities on Saturday after breaching a security checkpoint during the dinner, prompting the evacuation of President Donald Trump and other high-ranking officials. Video footage from Torrance showed a cordoned-off neighborhood as investigators meticulously searched Allen’s home and vehicles parked in the driveway. Federal and local agencies worked through the night, leaving the property around 7 a.m. Sunday. Max Harris, who said he had taken private lessons from Allen, expressed shock upon learning of his arrest, describing Allen as a “normal, friendly guy.” Erik Orre, a resident of the neighborhood, also voiced surprise at the investigation in the typically quiet area. Allen, who was a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory intern in 2014, acted alone and was staying at the Washington Hilton, where the gala took place. He was subdued and arrested after a shootout with police, injuring a Secret Service agent. Authorities recovered legally purchased firearms, including a 12-gauge Maverick shotgun and a.38-caliber Armscor Precision semi-automatic pistol. A note allegedly written by Allen revealed anger toward the Trump administration and identified government officials as his targets. Allen faces charges including using a firearm during a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Public SafetyThe Presidency Is 'A Dangerous Profession': What Trump Said After Shooting at Journalists' Dinner
WASHINGTON D.C. – President Donald Trump appeared somber and unusually conciliatory after what he described as a third attempt on his life in less than two years. He suggested his personal politics had made him a repeated target but also called for unity and healing in an increasingly violent world. 'It’s always shocking when something like this happens. It happened to me, a little bit. And that never changes,' Trump told reporters during an impromptu press conference at the White House on Saturday night. Earlier, an armed man stormed the Washington hotel where Trump was set to address the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Authorities are in the early stages of determining what happened and why. The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, was detained. Trump asserted that he was undoubtedly the target. The presidency is 'a dangerous profession,' he said, adding that political violence has escalated in the U.S. and globally. 'No country is immune,' he remarked. He also suggested the incident was a sign of his presidency’s success. 'I’ve studied assassinations, and I must tell you, the most influential people—the ones who accomplish the most, look at Abraham Lincoln,' Trump stated. He added, 'The people who make the greatest impact are the ones who are pursued. They don’t go after those who don’t do much.' Trump urged Americans to set aside their differences and unite, marking a departure from his usual combative political approach. 'We have to, we have to resolve our differences,' he declared. 'I’ll say this: there were Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Conservatives, Liberals, and Progressives. Those words are interchangeable, maybe, but maybe they’re not. Still, everyone in that room—a great crowd—a record-breaking crowd—there was an enormous amount of love and unity. I saw it, I saw it, and I was deeply moved by it.' By Sunday morning, Trump had shifted focus, using the incident to promote the ongoing construction of the White House ballroom, which he ordered to replace the East Wing. On social media, he claimed the event 'would never have happened with the Top Secret Military Ballroom currently under construction at the White House. It can’t be built fast enough!' He also mocked legal challenges to the project, calling them 'the ridiculous ballroom lawsuit.' Following a 2024 rally shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump was injured and a supporter died, he delivered a softer, personal speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee days later. 'The discord and division in our society must heal. We must heal them quickly,' he said at the time. 'As Americans, we are united by one destiny and a shared future. We rise together, or we fall apart.' However, those calls for unity were short-lived. Trump soon returned to his combative rhetoric, repeating false claims about the 2020 election being stolen and blaming Democratic President Joe Biden for 'unthinkable' damage to the nation. The pattern repeated in September 2024, when Secret Service agents shot a man armed with a rifle while Trump was golfing at his resort in West Palm Beach, Florida. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s golfing partner during the incident, described Trump’s initial reaction as 'brave and stoic.' Shortly afterward, Trump resumed speaking about 'radical Democrats' and 'left-wing lunatics,' calling Ryan Routh, the man sentenced to life for attempting to kill him, a 'sick individual.' Unlike the previous incidents, Saturday’s shooting occurred with First Lady Melania Trump by his side. Trump described his wife as shaken but 'very aware, I think, of what happened.' 'I think she knew immediately,' Trump said. 'She was saying,
Public SafetyAttacker at Trump Dinner Targeted Government Officials, Acting Attorney General Says
WASHINGTON D.C. — The armed man who attempted to breach the ballroom during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner allegedly aimed to target members of the Trump administration, including 'probably' President Donald Trump, according to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday. Blanche stated that authorities believe the suspect traveled by train from California to Chicago and then to Washington, where he checked into the hotel hosting one of Washington's most glamorous events on Saturday night. Trump was swiftly evacuated from the stage when gunshots were heard. The 31-year-old suspect is in custody and faces charges. In an interview on NBC's 'Meet the Press,' Blanche explained that while the motive remains under investigation, the suspect's electronic devices and interviews with acquaintances suggest a planned attack on administration officials. 'We believe he intended to target individuals working in the administration, likely including the president,' Blanche said, urging caution as the investigation is still in its early stages. The suspect breached the Washington Hilton hotel's security perimeter by only 'a few meters' before being intercepted by the Secret Service, Blanche noted. Authorities reconstructed the suspect's journey, revealing he traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then to Washington D.C., where he checked into the hotel one or two days before the event. The suspect purchased the two firearms used in the attack 'within the last two years,' Blanche said. Initial evidence suggests he acted alone, but this assessment could change as investigators gather more information. The suspect was arrested and taken to a local hospital for evaluation, though authorities confirmed he was not injured by gunfire during the incident. Blanche also confirmed the suspect is not cooperating with investigators and is expected to be formally charged in federal court in the District of Columbia on Monday.
Public SafetyTrump: Suspect in Washington Shooting Motivated by 'Deep Hatred Toward Christians'
WASHINGTON D.C. – President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that the suspect in the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner acted out of a 'deep hatred' toward Christians, citing a manifesto and information gathered by authorities following the incident. The alleged shooter, Cole Allen, sent a detailed 1,052-word document to his family shortly before the attack, identifying members of the Trump administration as his primary targets, except for FBI Director Kash Patel. Allen, 31, described himself as unwilling to tolerate what he referred to as a 'pedophile, rapist, and traitor,' seemingly referencing President Trump, who was present at the event. The suspect meticulously planned the attack to minimize collateral damage, specifying the use of shotgun pellets instead of solid bullets. A Secret Service officer was struck but survived due to a bulletproof vest. Allen criticized the lack of security at the Washington Hilton, where the event was held, claiming he was able to bring multiple weapons into the venue undetected. The suspect remains in custody at a hospital for psychiatric evaluation and is expected to appear in federal court on Monday. Trump emphasized the suspect's 'anti-Christian' motives, while Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche noted the investigation is ongoing and the official motive remains under review. The incident disrupted the gala dinner, prompting emergency protocols to secure Trump, the First Lady, and other officials.
Public SafetyDeath Toll Rises After Bomb Attack in Colombia; Victim Identification Underway
BOGOTÁ, Colombia — The death toll from a bomb attack on a highway in southwestern Colombia has risen to 20, with 36 injured, authorities in the Cauca department reported Sunday. The region has been under siege from violent attacks in recent days, which the government has attributed to dissident factions of the now-defunct FARC. Governor Octavio Guzmán of Cauca stated on X that the victims include 15 women and five men, all adults. Among the injured, three remain in intensive care, while five minors are reported to be 'out of danger.' The National Institute of Forensic Medicine has begun identifying the bodies to return them to their families. The attack occurred Saturday when an explosive device detonated as a bus traveled along the Pan-American Highway near El Túnel in Cajibío, Cauca. The Cauca and neighboring Valle del Cauca regions have faced escalating violence in recent days. The Cauca government declared three days of mourning for the victims. Witness Miyer Reinoso described the tragedy to The Associated Press, saying, 'They were very innocent people—children, families who had just finished work and were carrying their groceries.' The explosion left a 200-cubic-meter crater on the road and destroyed over a dozen vehicles. The highway concessionaire restored traffic on the Pan-American Highway by midday Sunday. This region is a key area for illicit economies controlled by armed groups vying for dominance over coca cultivation zones and drug trafficking routes to Central America and Europe. Colombian security authorities reported 26 'criminal' attacks in the area in recent days, attributing them to the Jaime Martínez faction of FARC dissidents. President Gustavo Petro condemned the perpetrators as 'terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers,' led by alias 'Marlon,' a close associate of alias 'Iván Mordisco,' one of Colombia's most-wanted individuals. Vice President Francia Márquez called on the military to stop the 'terrorist wave' and criticized intelligence agencies for failing to prevent the attack. The government has offered a reward of 5 billion pesos (over $1 million USD) for information leading to the capture of 'Marlon,' whose real name is Iván Jacob Idrobo Arredondo. Violence escalated Friday when two explosive-laden vehicles detonated near military units in Cali and Palmira, causing property damage. On Saturday, multiple shootings and radar system damage were reported across the departments, though no injuries occurred. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the attacks on civilians and urged authorities to investigate and ensure justice for the victims. The Andean Community of Nations also joined in the condemnation. Colombia’s Peace Commissioner called on illegal armed groups to 'immediately cease' violent actions against civilians, stating that no cause justifies the 'suffering and violation of fundamental rights.' The government was urged to increase protection and presence in affected territories to ensure peace. Talks between the government and FARC dissidents were suspended in 2024 after an armed attack in Cauca killed an Indigenous leader. Opposition sectors have criticized Petro’s 'total peace' policy, claiming it has failed to curb violence and fosters impunity. Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president, will end his term in August, with presidential elections scheduled for May 31.
Public SafetySuspect Identified in Shooting at White House Correspondents' Dinner
WASHINGTON D.C. – Authorities have identified the suspect who opened fire on security officers during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. The suspect, Cole Thomas Allen, a 31-year-old man from Torrance, Southern California, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives when he breached a security checkpoint and ran toward the dinner venue, according to Jeff Carroll, acting police chief of the Metropolitan Police Department. Allen exchanged gunfire with law enforcement and was subdued without injury. A Secret Service agent was struck in the bulletproof vest but is expected to recover and was discharged from a local hospital early Sunday. Allen's motives remain unclear, and authorities have stated he has no criminal record and was not previously on their radar. Allen, a graduate of Caltech and California State University, Dominguez Hills, has worked as a mechanical engineer, freelance video game developer, and part-time tutor. Former acquaintances described him as highly intelligent and kind, making the incident surprising. Federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro announced charges against Allen, including using a firearm during a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer. The FBI and Secret Service are investigating a residence linked to Allen in Torrance. The shooting disrupted the annual dinner attended by President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other officials. Trump described the incident as startling but praised the swift response of security personnel. Allen is expected to appear in federal court on Monday.
Public Safety"He was a madman and a lone wolf": Trump on suspect in attempted shooting
CALIFORNIA – The FBI has cordoned off the home in Torrance, California, of the suspect who attempted to enter the White House Correspondents' Dinner armed. The event was attended by President Donald Trump, members of his administration, and journalists. FBI agents are surrounding the residence while awaiting a federal court search warrant, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, as reported by Fox News. The house is allegedly that of Tomas Cole Allen, 31. Shortly after the incident, Trump described the attacker as a "madman" and a "lone wolf" during a press conference at the White House. The suspect did not breach the security perimeter where the president, First Lady Melania, Vice President JD Vance, and hundreds of journalists and political figures were dining. Torrance Mayor George K. Chen condemned the incident, stating it does not reflect the values of the Los Angeles suburb, which he described as "deeply shaken" by the events. Chen emphasized that Torrance is a community built on respect, diversity, hard work, and public safety, and firmly opposes political violence, extremism, and hate in any form. The attempted attack occurred Saturday night at the White House Correspondents' Dinner held at the Hilton Hotel in Washington. A video shared by the president shows the assailant rushing through security before being subdued and arrested. The suspect has been charged with two felony counts related to firearm possession and assault, according to federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro. A Secret Service agent was shot during the incident but has since been released from the hospital, according to Anthony Guglielmi, the agency's communications chief. Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn stated that "a coward tried to create a national tragedy" but was stopped in time. NBC News obtained a government photo of the suspect, Tomas Cole Allen.
Trump unharmed after security incident at White House correspondents dinner; no injuries reported
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump was uninjured and other top leaders of the United States were evacuated from an annual dinner of White House correspondents on Saturday night after an unspecified threat. There did not immediately appear to be any injuries, and one law-enforcement official said a shooter had opened fire. Authorities said the [...]
Public SafetyVehicle fails to yield, causing motorcycle crash: Police
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Edinburg Police Department is investigating a vehicle crash involving a motorcycle. At approximately 1:43 p.m. on Saturday, police responded to a traffic collision in the area of 21st Avenue and University Drive, according to a news release from Edinburg police. A preliminary investigation revealed that a Chevy Traverse had allegedly
Public SafetyWrong-way driver arrested after deadly crash: DPS
CAMERON COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating an early morning two-vehicle head-on collision that left a woman dead. At approximately 5:07 a.m. on Saturday, DPS troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on US 77 south of Orphanage Road in Cameron County. A preliminary investigation determined that a green Chevrolet Camaro,
Public SafetyDonna Police warn against animal abandonment crime
DONNA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Donna Police Department, along with the Donna Animal Control, has responded to multiple reports of domestic animals, more specifically puppies, being abandoned at a Walmart parking lot. According to a public service announcement from Donna police, the department wants to remind the public that dumping/abandoning domestic animals is a criminal offense, [...]
Public SafetyTrump Evacuated After Gunfire During Dinner with Journalists; Suspect in Custody
President Donald Trump, his wife, and other top U.S. leaders were evacuated from the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night following gunfire at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC. Authorities confirmed that a suspect, originally from California, was arrested and taken to a hospital with injuries. Trump held a press conference from the White House after the incident, praising the bravery of a Secret Service agent who was saved by a bulletproof vest during the attack. The dinner, which celebrates journalistic excellence, resumed later in the evening amidst uncertainty and heightened security.
Public SafetyChicago Police Officer Dies After Hospital Shooting; Suspect in Custody
A Chicago police officer passed away on Saturday following a shooting at Swedish Endeavor Hospital that left another officer critically injured. Authorities have apprehended the suspect, according to NBC Chicago and Chicago Alderman Jim Alderman. The suspect, initially detained on suspicion of robbery, reportedly opened fire on officers while being escorted for medical evaluation. One officer, aged 38 with 10 years of service, succumbed to his injuries, while the other, a 57-year-old veteran with 21 years on the force, remains in critical condition. The hospital, located at 5140 N. California Ave. in Ravenswood, was placed on lockdown during the incident but has since reopened. No hospital staff or patients were harmed, and the investigation is ongoing. Police have recovered a firearm and restricted access to nearby areas as they continue their inquiries.
Public SafetySuspect Charged with Murder in Death of Florida Student; Search Continues for Missing Woman
A suspect has been charged in connection with the murder of his roommate, a University of South Florida (USF) student, and the disappearance of another female college student in Tampa. Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, faces charges including premeditated murder with a weapon, illegal handling or transport of a corpse, failure to report a death to the medical examiner or authorities (with intent to conceal), and tampering with physical evidence, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities confirmed Friday the discovery of the body of Zamil Limon, a 27-year-old doctoral student who had been reported missing alongside Nahida Bristy, also 27, who is still unaccounted for and believed to be dead. Details about Limon’s cause of death and the motive remain unknown. Abugharbieh, who has a prior criminal record in Hillsborough County, was arrested on April 24 in Tampa after barricading himself inside a residence following a domestic violence call. He surrendered to a SWAT team after a standoff. Limon’s body was found on the Howard Frankland Bridge during the investigation into the pair’s disappearance. Both students were last seen on April 16 in Tampa, and their disappearance was reported on April 21 after several days of no contact, which their families described as unusual. Authorities are still searching for Bristy and have extended the investigation across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, including collecting evidence on the Howard Frankland Bridge. The community remains deeply concerned, and officials are urging anyone with information to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Two years after a judge recommended her murder conviction be tossed, Melissa Lucio still waits for freedom
Every Thursday at 9 a.m. when the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals publishes its orders and opinions online, Melissa Lucio’s family, supporters and lawyers scan the court’s website for the death row inmate’s name. Caught between freedom and a potential execution for the last two years, waiting for every Thursday morning is all Lucio and [...]
Public SafetyTwo adults, juvenile arrested after Brownsville police chase
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Brownsville Police Department arrested three people in connection with a pursuit linked to an auto theft investigation. The chase occurred at approximately 5 a.m. on Wednesday after police say they saw a vehicle running red lights on Palm Boulevard, which led to a traffic stop. Police said Jose Antonio Reyna, 17, [...]
Public Safety$812 Million Verdict for the Family of a Worker Killed in a Gas Plant Explosion
A Texas jury has awarded $812 million — comprising $203 million in compensatory damages and $609 million in punitive damages — to the wife and two daughters of a worker killed in an explosion at the Pecos Liquids Handling Facility in Pecos, Texas.
City of Palmview warns residents about wire payment email scam
PALMVIEW, Texas (ValleyCentral) — City leaders in Palmview are alerting residents about a scam involving false emails and wire payment requests. The city of Palmview was made aware that the emails impersonate the city using a similar but fake email address to request wire payments from residents for permit application processing. The photos below show what [...]
Public SafetyTeen Suspect Arrested in Louisiana Mall Shooting
Louisiana authorities announced Friday that a 17-year-old has been charged with murder and another suspect is being sought after a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge left a teenage girl dead and five others injured. Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse stated that the Thursday shooting was not random, citing 'social media disputes and possibly gang-related issues' as motivations. The incident involved two groups who exchanged words before opening fire, injuring innocent bystanders. Markel Lee, 17, surrendered to authorities and faces charges of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and illegal use of a weapon. Louisiana law treats 17-year-olds as adults in the criminal justice system. Governor Jeff Landry vowed to combat gang violence and announced a targeted operation to arrest those linked to the shooting. The victim, identified as 17-year-old Martha Odom from Lafayette, was celebrating 'senior skip day' with friends. Two other students from her school, Ascension Episcopal School, were among the injured. The school described Odom as 'a joyful presence whose kindness and contagious enthusiasm brought light to everyone she knew.' The shooting marks the second high-profile case of gun violence in Louisiana this week, following a separate incident in Shreveport where a father killed eight children, seven of whom were his own, and injured two women in a family attack.