Cole Tomas Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, was terminated from his position at a university counseling services company after six years of employment following his arrest in connection with a fatal stabbing in El Salvador.
Allen was detained by Salvadoran authorities on April 24, 2026, in the municipality of Santa Ana after allegedly stabbing a man multiple times during a dispute near a public market. The victim, identified locally as Carlos Mejía, 42, died at the scene from his injuries. Police reports indicate Allen was apprehended by officers responding to the incident and remains in custody pending investigation.
The company Allen worked for, which provides academic advising and application support to students seeking admission to U.S. Institutions, confirmed his separation from employment in an internal memo dated April 25, 2026. A spokesperson stated the decision was made immediately following notification of his arrest and in accordance with the organization’s conduct policy, which requires termination for employees charged with violent felonies.
Allen had been employed at the company since 2020, most recently serving as a senior counselor overseeing a team advising students from Central America. Colleagues described him as knowledgeable about regional education systems but noted no prior behavioral concerns in workplace records. The firm provides services to over 5,000 clients annually, with a significant portion originating from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Salvadoran prosecutors have charged Allen with aggravated homicide, a crime punishable by up to 50 years in prison under the country’s penal code. His initial hearing is scheduled for May 8, 2026, at the Santa Ana Judicial Center, where a judge will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. The U.S. Embassy in San Salvador has been notified of the case and is providing consular access in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
No statement has been issued by Allen’s legal representative, and the embassy has declined to comment further on the specifics of the case, citing privacy and ongoing legal proceedings. Authorities in Santa Ana have not released surveillance footage or witness testimonies, stating the investigation remains active.
The victim’s family has requested that the case proceed through Salvadoran courts without external interference, according to a local advocacy group supporting the family. Funeral services for Carlos Mejía were held on April 27, 2026, in Santa Ana, attended by community members and local officials.
As of April 29, 2026, Allen remains detained at the Santa Ana detention facility. No bail hearing has been scheduled, and prosecutors have indicated they intend to pursue the maximum penalty allowed under Salvadoran law.
