U.S. Secret Service agents shot and wounded an armed man near the White House late Saturday night, officials said, while President Donald Trump was away at his Florida residence. The incident occurred near 17th and F Streets, close to the presidential complex, but authorities have not confirmed whether the White House or Trump was the intended target.
According to the Secret Service, local police alerted agents about a “suicidal” man traveling from Indiana to Washington. Around midnight, agents located his parked vehicle near the White House and later spotted a person matching the suspect’s description. When approached, the man pulled out a gun, prompting agents to open fire. He was hospitalized, but his condition remains unclear. No Secret Service personnel were injured.
Washington police are investigating the incident. The Secret Service emphasized there was no immediate threat to the White House, as Trump was at his Mar-a-Lago property during the encounter. The agency did not release the suspect’s identity or motives, nor confirm if he had any connection to the president.
The shooting shows the currently ongoing security challenges around the White House, even when the president is absent. Similar incidents have occurred in recent years, including a 2023 case where a man rammed a vehicle into a security barrier near the complex.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area as the investigation continues.