In the early hours of Sunday, March 9, US Secret Service agents shot a man from Indiana after an armed altercation near the White House. The incident, which occurred just after midnight, raised concerns about security near the presidential residence.
The Secret Service had been alerted to a potential threat when local authorities reported a suicidal individual travelling from Indiana to Washington, D.C. Agents found the suspect’s vehicle near the White House perimeter, at 17th and F Streets. They saw a person matching the suspect’s description nearby.
When officers approached, the man brandished a firearm, leading to a confrontation in which agents fired shots. The man was taken to a nearby hospital, but his condition remains unknown. No Secret Service agents were injured.
Investigation and security concerns
Michael Buck, Chief of the Secret Service Uniformed Division, held a media briefing and provided initial details. The Metropolitan Police Department is now investigating the shooting, with the DC Police Department leading the inquiry.
At the time of the shooting, President Donald Trump was in Florida at his Mar-a-Lago estate. The Secret Service has not confirmed whether the man was targeting the president. The suspect was described as suicidal, and his intentions remain unclear.
This incident brings to mind a similar event from August 2020, when Secret Service agents shot a man who fired at the White House during Trump’s first term. In that case, the suspect approached agents aggressively after firing shots.
This latest shooting underscores ongoing security challenges in Washington, D.C., particularly near key government buildings. Law enforcement must remain vigilant to protect officials and the public from potential threats.
