Dr. Bin Tang, a computer science professor at California State University - Dominguez Hills, remembers Cole Allen as a model student. Allen, now accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, took several courses with Tang while pursuing his master's degree.
"He was a very good student indeed, always sitting in the first row of my class, paying attention, and frequently emailing me with coursework questions," Tang said in an email to the Associated Press. "Soft-spoken, very polite, a good fellow. I am very shocked to see the news."
Allen, a teacher and video game developer, was arrested Saturday after allegedly shooting at the annual press dinner. Reports indicate he legally purchased at least two firearms in California, including a semiautomatic pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun.
President Trump has released security footage showing the suspect charging through a hotel lobby before being intercepted by security and Secret Service.