White House Correspondents' Dinner shooter identified as Cole Thomas Allen
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Cole Thomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, has been identified as the individual who caused a disturbance at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The incident led to the evacuation of US President Donald Trump from the Washington Hilton Hotel ballroom, where approximately 2,500 guests were gathered. Police reported that Allen breached a security checkpoint and fired at a Secret Service agent, who survived due to a bullet-proof vest. Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and knives. He was apprehended and taken to a hospital for evaluation. Metropolitan Police Department Interim Chief Jeffrey Carroll confirmed that Allen was believed to be a guest at the hotel, and a room linked to him was secured. President Trump described Allen as a "lone wolf whack job." Officials stated Allen had no prior criminal record. His LinkedIn profile indicates he was a part-time teacher at C2 Education, a video game developer, and a graduate of the California Institute of Technology with a degree in mechanical engineering, also holding a master's degree in computer science from California State University-Dominguez Hills. He was previously featured in a 2017 news report for developing a wheelchair emergency brake prototype.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Davindra Singh, an Indian national who was reported missing from Ahenema Kokoben, has been found dead inside the boot of his car at Konkoli, Ghana. The vehicle was discovered parked by the roadside. Reports indicate that bloodstains were found at the scene, suggesting possible foul play. A resident mentioned that unknown individuals had parked the car, initially leading to the assumption it had broken down. Police have retrieved the body for autopsy, and investigations are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible.
An Accra High Court has dismissed a GH¢10 million defamation lawsuit filed by former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta against broadcaster Blessed Godsbrain Smart, also known as Captain Smart. The court, presided over by Justice Francis Obiri, struck out the case on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, citing a lack of prosecution. The decision was made under Order 36 Rule 1 2 b of CI 47, as the plaintiff had repeatedly failed to actively pursue the case. Records showed the case had been adjourned 18 times, but Ofori-Atta appeared in court only three times, with his last appearance on May 20, 2024. The court rejected an application for adjournment from Ofori-Atta's counsel, Bright Okyere-Adjekum. The lawsuit stemmed from alleged defamatory comments made by Captain Smart on a television program, where he claimed Ofori-Atta took a 10% cut from Ghana's dealings with the International Monetary Fund and other loans. Ofori-Atta described these statements as "palpably false, absolutely fabricated… also deliberately calculated to disparage" him. The court emphasized its authority to dismiss or strike out an action for want of prosecution if the plaintiff fails to attend court. No costs were awarded to the defendants.
Must ReadKofi Anku, a Ghanaian real estate developer, shared a personal cheque from his late father, Dr. Vincent Anku, for $10,000 made out to Nelson Mandela in 1994. This act of solidarity, made in the year of South Africa's first democratic elections, has been highlighted by Anku on Facebook amidst renewed xenophobic attacks against Ghanaians and other Africans in South Africa. Anku emphasized his father's belief in standing against apartheid and for the dignity of Black people, contrasting it with the current intimidation faced by Ghanaian migrants in the country. He noted that many across the continent supported South Africa's liberation and that the current generation must consider what they are willing to do for each other. The post comes as Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has summoned South Africa's envoy to Ghana, calling for intervention after a Ghanaian legal resident was violently harassed. Anti-migrant groups have targeted foreign nationals, accusing them of draining public services, leading to ransacking of shops, homes, and even hospitals. Minister Ablakwa has appealed to the spirit of Pan-Africanism, urging that the long-standing bonds between African nations should not be derailed by fringe elements. Anku's post serves as a reminder of the costly solidarity of an earlier generation of Africans.
Dr Darius Kofi Osei, the founding Chief Executive Officer of the University of Ghana Medical Centre, is set to release a memoir that will explore his personal journey. He shared on JoyNews’ Personality Profile that his early education began at age four, accompanying his mother, a teacher, to her classroom because there was no one else to care for him. This unconventional start instilled discipline and exposed him to learning early. Dr Osei also revealed that at age 16, he discovered the man who raised him was not his biological father. He described his stepfather as a fair and compassionate man who never showed any sign that he was not his biological child. The memoir will delve into the untold struggles and defining moments that shaped his identity, leading to his professional success.