'It's bizarre': Californians grapple with revelation that suspected Trump gunman was neighbour Regan MorrisTorrance, California Neighbours of White House correspondents' dinner shooting suspect reactThe man charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at a Washington dinner lived with his parents in a quiet coastal suburb of Los Angeles. Some people here lovingly refer to the city of Torrance, known for its good schools, ocean breezes and million-dollar homes, as "Bore-ance" because nothing much ever happens. Cole Thomas Allen's neighbours in the community told the BBC they were shocked to see his face on TV - handcuffed, topless and face down on the ground of the Hilton Hotel after allegedly coming armed to Saturday's White House Correspondents' Dinner.
"It's bizarre that this person lives two blocks away from your house," says Vince Terrazzino, whose 10-year-old daughter Alessandra was pressing the FBI agents for updates as they moved from house to house, knocking on doors and looking for clues.The agents declined to answer her or us. For Alessandra and others who live nearby, the mob of media parked on their sidewalks was an unusual site, irritating to many, but exciting and "popping" to Alessandra and others.Getty ImagesIt started Saturday night shortly after Allen's arrest in Washington. Helicopters circled above homes all night as law enforcement searched the home he shared with his parents, who many here say they knew as a friendly family.
The noise kept almost everyone on the street awake - and tuning into the news to figure out what was going on. Allen, 31, appeared in court on Monday to face charges but has yet to enter a plea. Prosecutors allege Allen wrote to relatives of his plans, telling them he planned to target as many members of the Trump administration as he could.
He was carrying a semi-automatic handgun, a pump-action shotgun and three knives when he charged past a security checkpoint at the dinner, an affidavit states. An exchange of gunfire left one Secret Service agent injured before Allen was subdued, officials say.Kids in the neighborhood like Alessandra call Torrance, the city where the suspect lived with his parents, "Bore-ance" "Nothing ever happens here," Terrazzino says, urging Alessandra to tell the BBC what she calls the city. "Bore-ance," she says.Kids on wheelie bikes whizzed by the throngs of news cameras outside the home - hoping to show off their skills on the evening news or in some influencer's video.
They, too, confirmed the "Bore-ance" moniker.People walked their dogs and rode bikes up and down the street, passing tips to the media."He used to drink at the Irish bar," one says. We visited the bar but no one there recognised him.Suspect charged with attempted assassination of Trump at Washington dinner White House to review Trump's security after shooting at dinner eventWhat we're learning about suspected Washington press dinner gunman"Talk to the mail man. He knows things," another says.
He didn't.None of the neighbours we spoke to knew Cole Allen well, beyond smiling and waving to him. But many know his parents and were protective of them."Leave those poor people alone," says one neighbour who did not want to be identified, adding that he was sick of the media causing traffic jams on the narrow street.There are three vehicles parked outside the Allen home - two cars and a scooter - but no one answered the door when countless reporters knocked on Sunday and Monday. Many speculated that the family was staying with friends or relatives after the FBI searched the home on Saturday night.Getty ImagesA few miles away at the tutoring centre where Allen worked, no one showed up on Sunday or Monday.
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