Secret Service Shoots Armed Man Near Washington Monument; Bystander Injured
A man was shot by Secret Service agents near the Washington Monument after opening fire; a juvenile bystander sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
On Monday afternoon, a man was shot by Secret Service agents near the Washington Monument after he opened fire on them. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of 15th Street and Independence Avenue, shortly after Vice President JD Vance's motorcade had passed through the area.
Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn stated that plainclothes agents identified the man, who appeared to be carrying a firearm. When uniformed officers approached, the suspect attempted to flee and fired at them. The officers returned fire, striking the man, who was then transported to a local hospital. His condition remains unknown.
A juvenile bystander was also injured during the exchange. The child sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is receiving treatment at a hospital. Quinn mentioned that investigators believe the child was struck by the suspect's gunfire, but further medical evaluation is needed to confirm this.
The White House was briefly locked down as authorities responded to the incident. President Donald Trump was holding a small business event inside the White House at the time, which continued without interruption. The Secret Service confirmed that there is no known connection between the incident and the White House.
This event follows a recent security incident on April 25, when an armed individual attempted to breach the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. The suspect in that case, Cole Tomas Allen, was apprehended and faces charges including attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.