White House lockdown: Secret Service shoots man after gunfire near Washington Monument

by · The News International
 White House lockdown: Secret Service shoots man after gunfire near Washington Monument

US Secret Service officers shot and wounded an armed suspect Monday afternoon near the Washington Monument following an exchange of gunfire that left a juvenile bystander injured. 

According to officials, Secret Service agents patrolling the White House perimeter observed a “suspicious individual” with a firearm. 

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When approached, the suspect fled and opened fire on officers. Officers returned fire, striking the suspect in the torso; he is currently in stable condition at a local hospital.

A juvenile bystander was struck by the suspect’s gunfire. D.C. Police confirmed the minor suffered a “graze wound” and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

In line with preliminary reports, the gunman was identified as a 45-year-old White man with previous residences in Maryland and Texas.

Authorities are investigating whether he attempted to breach a White House entry point earlier in the day.

Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade was in the vicinity at the time of the shooting. Although not directly impacted, the motorcade diverted from its destination as a safety precaution. “President Donald Trump was not in any danger, and there currently is no known nexus between the incident and the White House,” Quinn said in a statement to CNN.

The incident follows a high-profile shooting less than two weeks ago, where a California man was charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.