Man shot after firing at Secret Service agents, injuring bystander near White House
An armed confrontation just outside the White House perimeter triggered a brief lockdown yesterday afternoon after Secret Service officers encountered what they described as a "suspicious individual" who later opened fire before running from the scene and being...
An armed confrontation just outside the White House perimeter triggered a brief lockdown yesterday afternoon after Secret Service officers encountered what they described as a “suspicious individual” who later opened fire before running from the scene and being shot by law enforcement.
The episode prompted a temporary lockdown at the White House as authorities moved to secure the area.
- Advertisement -
Secret Service agents patrolling the outer edge of the White House complex first spotted the person, whom Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn said appeared suspicious and seemed to be carrying a firearm.
After officers approached, the individual briefly fled on foot and fired toward them, Mr Quinn told a press conference.
Mr Quinn said Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade had passed through the area “not long before” the shooting.
He said investigators had found no sign that the suspect was trying to get near Mr Vance’s motorcade.
A juvenile bystander was struck by the suspect during the incident, but the injuries were not considered life-threatening and the victim was being treated at a hospital, Mr Quinn said.
In explaining why agents took notice of the person, Mr Quinn told reporters they observed a “visual print of a firearm” while assessing the individual’s behaviour.
The suspect never made it onto White House grounds, Mr Quinn said.
Security agencies in Washington have remained on heightened alert in recent days following a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner late last month, an incident that resulted in an arrest.
Asked whether yesterday’s gunfire might be connected to “other recent attempts” on President Donald Trump’s life, Mr Quinn said authorities were still working to determine the motive. Mr Trump was inside the White House as the incident unfolded.
“Whether or not it was directed to the president or not, I don’t know but we will find out,” Mr Quinn said.
He also confirmed that officers recovered a weapon from the suspect, though he did not provide further details.
Earlier, the Secret Service said its personnel were responding to the officer-involved shooting at 15th Street and Independence Avenue in Washington, DC.
The investigation was being handled by the DC Police Department.