Who is Caul Thomas Allen, who caused the armed incident at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington attended by U.S. President Donald Trump?
Medianews.az, citing U.S. media, reports that Allen is 31 years old. It is emphasized that he lives in Torrance, California, and is a highly educated person.
Caul Thomas Allen obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at a university in California and later earned a master's degree in computer science. His academic performance is reported to be high, and his teachers remember him as a disciplined and hardworking student.
Allen worked as a tutor and teacher, and was also active in programming and technology. He worked for several years at an education company called "C2 Education," preparing students for higher education.
According to information circulating on social media, Allen was also an amateur video game developer, creating a game on the subject of molecular chemistry for the "Steam" platform and working on new projects.
Regarding the armed incident caused by Allen on April 25, 2026, in Washington, according to reports, Allen tried to enter the security zone of the hotel where the event was held; he had a hunting rifle, a pistol, and knives on him.
He opened fire while trying to pass the security checkpoint, but was caught as a result of the immediate intervention of the U.S. Secret Service agents.
One security officer was injured during the shooting, but a bulletproof vest saved his life.
High-ranking individuals attending the event, including U.S. President Donald Trump, were evacuated from the area for security reasons.
Currently, law enforcement agencies are investigating the motive behind Allen's actions. Although official authorities have not yet disclosed a specific reason, preliminary assumptions suggest he acted alone. At the same time, whether he planned this in advance, had any connections with organizations, and his psychological condition are being examined as key directions of the investigation. He has been charged with weapons use and assault, and these charges are expected to expand as the investigation continues.
The sharp contradiction between Caul Thomas Allen's life path and the charges filed against him brings even more attention to this incident. The involvement of a well-educated, technically employed person who is not widely known in the public in such an incident has reignited discussions in the U.S. about security, radicalization, and risks of individual violence. All details and motives of the incident will only become fully clear after the investigation is completed.