In a dramatic turn of events outside the White House on Sunday, the U.S. Secret Service shot an armed suspect following an intense standoff. The yet-to-be-identified individual was reportedly flagged as a potential threat before the confrontation unfolded near the nation’s most secure residence.
According to a statement from the Secret Service, the agency had earlier received intelligence from local law enforcement about a “suicidal individual” traveling from Indiana to Washington, D.C. Acting on this tip, officers spotted a man matching the description near the White House.
“As officers approached, the individual brandished a firearm, leading to an armed confrontation. Shots were fired by our personnel,” the Secret Service confirmed.
The suspect sustained gunshot wounds and was immediately rushed to a hospital. His current condition remains unknown.
BBC reports indicate that President Donald Trump was not present at the White House during the incident, as he was spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
Authorities have since launched a full-scale investigation into the shooting, with Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department leading the probe. As is standard protocol, all law-enforcement-involved shootings in the District of Columbia are subject to independent review.
The shooting underscores the ever-present security challenges faced by agencies protecting key U.S. government institutions. Further details on the suspect’s identity, motive, and weapon will likely emerge as the investigation progresses.
PIONEER NEWS 