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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, [...]
Community'Like my heart is split': Families demand fixes to damaged Weslaco memorial
WESLACO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Gold Star son says he is outraged over the condition of a memorial in Weslaco meant to honor fallen service members, and families are now demanding action. “It's been years. It's been a long time that this has been an issue,” said Sam Daily, a Gold Star son. The concerns center [...]
McAllenBomb Attack in Colombia: Death Toll Rises to 13, 38 Injured
BOGOTÁ, Colombia — An explosive device killed 13 people traveling on a bus in southwestern Colombia on Saturday in what the country’s army chief described as a 'terrorist act.' The attack also left at least 38 injured amid escalating violence tied to drug trafficking in the region. Octavio Guzmán, governor of the Cauca region, stated on social media platform X that the device was detonated as the bus traveled along the Pan-American Highway near the municipality of Cajibío. Among the injured are five children, according to Carolina Camargo, Cauca’s health secretary, who spoke to Noticias Caracol. General Hugo López, commander of Colombia’s Armed Forces, blamed the attack on a network led by 'Iván Mordisco,' one of Colombia’s most-wanted figures, and the Jaime Martínez faction. Both groups are dissidents of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) operating in the region. Neither Iván Mordisco nor the Jaime Martínez faction adhere to the 2016 peace accord signed with the Colombian government. President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack on X, calling the perpetrators 'terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers.' The explosion is the latest in a series of attacks targeting public infrastructure in southwestern Colombia. Over the past two days, at least 26 incidents have been reported, including a shooting at a police station in rural Jamundí and an attack on a Civil Aeronautics radar facility in El Tambo, where authorities intercepted and destroyed three explosive-laden drones on Saturday. No injuries were reported in those cases. On Friday, two vehicles packed with explosives were detonated near military units in Cali and Palmira, causing material damage. The escalating violence has prompted the mobilization of high-ranking officials, including Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez, who was meeting with regional governors and local authorities in Palmira when the deadly explosion occurred. Sánchez vowed to respond 'firmly' to the attacks. Francisca Toro, governor of Valle del Cauca, has urged the national government to provide 'immediate support,' calling for increased security forces, intensified intelligence operations, and 'decisive actions' against crime. Authorities say Cauca and Valle del Cauca are key territories for illegal armed groups vying for control of maritime and river routes leading to the port of Buenaventura, a critical transit point for drug trafficking to Central America and Europe. The government has offered a reward of over $1 million for information leading to the capture of 'Marlon,' identified as the leader of the dissident group operating in the region. Local authorities have also offered $14,000 for information on those responsible for the attacks in Cali and Palmira.
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.
CommunityMeet Magpie, a dog trained to sniff out sea turtle nests at South Padre Island
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Sea Turtle Inc. has a new furry friend who's helping to protect endangered sea turtles on South Padre Island. Meet Magpie, a highly trained detection dog who's sniffing out sea turtle nests that are often hidden due to wind, tides, and other beach activity. Sea Turtle Inc. says the [...]
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.
PoliticsTrump Cancels U.S. Delegation to Pakistan for Talks with Iran
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — President Donald Trump announced that he would no longer send U.S. envoys to Pakistan for discussions with Iran, shortly after Iran's top diplomat left Islamabad late Saturday. Trump told Fox News, 'They can call us anytime they want.' The White House had previously stated that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were set to travel to Pakistan's capital to attempt to revive ceasefire negotiations. On Saturday, Trump revealed that Iranian representatives made a new negotiation offer just ten minutes after he ordered the cancellation of his special envoys' trip to Islamabad for talks with Tehran. 'They gave us (yesterday) a document that should have been better, and curiously, immediately after canceling it, within ten minutes, we received a new document that was much better,' Trump said to reporters shortly before boarding Air Force One in Florida to fly to Washington. However, Trump indicated that the latest negotiation terms presented by Iran following the cancellation of Witkoff and Kushner's trip to Pakistan were still unsatisfactory. 'They offered a lot, but not enough,' he stated without elaborating further. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan Saturday night, according to two Pakistani officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media. Araghchi had met with Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding Iran's stance on negotiations, stating that Tehran would continue participating in mediation efforts 'until a result is achieved.' Iran has said the talks will be indirect. Islamabad was virtually shut down ahead of the planned discussions. Pakistan has been working to bring U.S. and Iranian officials back to the table since Trump announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire earlier this week, responding to Islamabad's request for further diplomatic efforts. The White House announced Friday that Trump would send Witkoff and Kushner to meet with Araghchi. However, Iran's Foreign Ministry indicated that any talks would be indirect, with Pakistani officials relaying messages. The first round of talks in Pakistan, led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, lasted over 20 hours and marked the highest-level direct negotiations between the former adversaries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Araghchi and Trump's envoys held hours of indirect talks in Geneva on February 27 but left without an agreement. The next day, Israel and the U.S. launched military action. Tensions persist around the Strait of Hormuz. The price of Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, remains nearly 50% higher than when the conflict began due to Iran's control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil passes during peacetime. Iran attacked three vessels this week, while the U.S. continues to blockade Iranian ports. Trump has ordered the military to 'shoot and kill' small boats suspected of laying mines. On Saturday, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Germany would send minesweepers to the Mediterranean to help clear Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities end. The disruption of shipments through the strait has had global trade repercussions, including impacts on the Panama Canal. Also on Saturday, Iran resumed commercial flights from Tehran's international airport for the first time since the war began two months ago. Iranian state television reported flights to Istanbul, Muscat (Oman's capital), and the Saudi city of Medina. Iran partially reopened its airspace earlier this month due to the ceasefire. Casualties rise despite ceasefires. Since the war began, authorities report at least 3,375 deaths in Iran and over 2,490 in Lebanon, where new clashes between Israel and Hezbollah erupted two days after the war started. Additionally, 23 people have died in Israel, and over a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 U.S. troops in the region, and six United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have also lost their lives. On Thursday, Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah for three weeks. The group has not participated in Washington-led diplomacy.
PoliticsUS Authorizes Venezuela to Pay Legal Fees for Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores
The United States has agreed to modify sanctions on Venezuela, allowing its government to pay the legal fees of attorneys defending Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a drug trafficking case in New York, according to a court document. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued amended licenses permitting payments under specific conditions, including that funds must be available to the Venezuelan government after March 5, 2026, and cannot come from Foreign Government Deposit Funds. This marks a shift in the strategy of the Department of Justice and the administration of former President Donald Trump, which had previously blocked access to these funds citing national security and foreign policy concerns. Maduro's defense, led by attorney Barry Pollack, had argued that the inability to pay legal fees violated the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to choose legal representation. Judge Alvin Hellerstein of the Southern District of New York expressed skepticism about the prosecution's stance during a March 26 hearing, noting that the couple no longer posed a national security threat after their capture and transfer to the U.S. Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, were apprehended in Caracas on January 3 by U.S. special forces and are currently held in a federal prison in Brooklyn. Both have pleaded 'not guilty' to charges including conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism and cocaine importation. The formal trial is not expected to begin for another one to two years.
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.
Morales twins take next step together, sign with TCU
LA FERIA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — For Anthony and Armando Morales, the journey to the next level has always been shared. The La Feria High School twin brothers officially signed to continue their long distance running careers at Texas Christian University — a moment years in the making. “It was a slow process at the beginning. [...]
Harlingen, PSJA North advance to area round of playoffs
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Harlingen and PSJA North made quick work in the bi-district round of the UIL softball playoffs, sweeping their respective opponents. In Class 6A Division I, Harlingen's momentum from game one's walk-off win against Weslaco carried over on the road. The Lady Cardinals' four-run fourth inning propelled them over the Lady Panthers [...]
Voter turnout numbers: Early voting Day 4
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Unofficial vote totals from Hidalgo and Cameron counties show a slight increase for voter turnout on Friday for the fourth day of early voting. According to unofficial totals for Hidalgo County, 1,742 people voted on Friday, bringing the total to 8,115 votes since early voting began on Monday. Unofficial totals for [...]
Hot and humid rising ahead of relief from incoming cold front
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Sticky conditions continue across the Valley this weekend. Moderate southeast winds with partly cloudy skies will keep things "roasty" and toasty. It's the humidity that gets ya! High humidity will make those 90-degree daily highs feel more like 100 degrees both Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to take shade and water breaks [...]
CBS 4's Derick Garcia visits South Texas Comic Con
MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — South Texas Comic Con is in full swing, bringing in pop culture icons to the Rio Grande Valley for a weekend filled with fun. To ring in the annual event, CBS 4's Derick Garcia joined in on the festivities with special guests, local vendors, and cosplayers. Some highlights of Derick's live coverage [...]
PoliticsLet’s Do It! FDA to Fast-Track Review of 3 Psychedelic Drugs Following Trump Order
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Friday that it will fast-track the review of three psychedelic drugs being developed to treat mental health conditions, including depression. This move follows President Donald Trump’s executive order directing the FDA and other federal agencies to accelerate research and ease restrictions on psychedelics, a class of hallucinogenic substances that remain illegal under federal law. The FDA has issued priority review vouchers to two companies studying psilocybin—the active ingredient in magic mushrooms—for treatment-resistant depression. A third company received a voucher for methylone, a drug related to MDMA, for post-traumatic stress disorder. The FDA did not disclose the names of the companies in its press release. “We owe it to our nation’s veterans and all Americans suffering from these conditions to urgently evaluate these potential therapies,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in a statement. The recent measures on psychedelics reflect growing popular support for these mind-altering substances among Trump supporters, including combat veterans and followers of the Make America Healthy Again movement led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In July, Kennedy told Congress that his department aimed to make psychedelics available for hard-to-treat psychiatric conditions within a year. Key allies of Kennedy, including Calley Means, a former campaign team member and current senior health advisor, have publicly advocated for the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. The FDA’s special treatment of psychedelics is likely to reignite scrutiny of its Priority National Voucher program, which accelerates drug reviews. Some Democratic lawmakers have criticized the program, alleging that vouchers have been awarded to companies politically favored by the White House. Separately, the FDA has authorized initial trials of a drug related to ibogaine, a powerful psychedelic derived from an African shrub, for alcohol use disorder. Ibogaine is known to cause dangerous heart rhythms but has been adopted by combat veterans as a treatment for trauma and addiction. Florida-based pharmaceutical company DemeRx is leading the research on a metabolite of ibogaine, which reportedly lacks the hallucinogenic effects and risks of the original compound. During a White House event on psychedelics last Saturday, political allies of Trump were credited with elevating these drugs to the top of his agenda. Podcaster Joe Rogan, who attended the event, shared that he texted Trump about ibogaine, and the president responded: “Sounds great. Want FDA approval? Let’s do it.” Rogan’s endorsement of Trump days before the November 2024 election was seen as pivotal to his victory. Earlier this week, Rogan revealed on his show that he learned about ibogaine from his friend Ed Clay, a mixed martial arts trainer and entrepreneur who organizes retreats using the substance in Mexico. Most psychedelics, including LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA, are classified as Schedule I substances, meaning they are considered high-risk drugs with no accepted medical use. For decades, pharmaceutical companies avoided these substances due to the challenges of studying drugs that are federally illegal. However, dozens of small pharmaceutical firms, many backed by Silicon Valley investors, have recently joined the race to secure FDA approval for various psychedelics. Tech billionaire Peter Thiel, a political donor to Trump and Vice President JD Vance, has invested in AtaiBeckley, a company researching MDMA and other psychedelic compounds.