Secret Service Shootout: ‘Suicidal’ Man Drives From Indiana To Washington Before Getting Shot At Near White House- wna24

Washington: A horrific incident surfaced near the White House in Washington DC, when a man, believed to be from Indiana, was shot by US Secret Service agents after a confrontation on early Sunday morning. The man, who was reportedly claimed to be ‘suicidal’, had driven from Indiana to Washington, sparking a massive response from law enforcement agencies.  As per reports, the man sustained bullet injuries during the shootout by the Secret Service agents and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The condition of the man is unknown at present. 

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police Department has initiated a detailed investigation into the incident to ascertain the cause of the shootout. The law enforcement agencies stated that fortunately President Donald Trump was not present in the White House, when the incident took place. 

According to authorities, the Secret Service received information from local police about the alleged “suicidal individual” who was travelling from Indiana. Agents quickly located the man’s car and a person matching his description nearby. As officers approached, the individual brandished a firearm, leading to an armed confrontation during which shots were fired by Secret Service personnel. Following the shooting, the man was hospitalised, and his condition remains unknown.

In a statement following the shootout, the US Secret Service stated, “As officers approached, the individual brandished a firearm and an armed confrontation ensued, during which shots were fired by our personnel.”

“The incident is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department Internal Affairs Division’s Force Investigations Team, which investigates all law enforcement officer(s) involved shootings in the District of Columbia,” it further added.

The NPR report said that US President Donald Trump was at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, at the time of the shooting.

“The suspect was transported to an area hospital and his condition is unknown. There were no reported injuries to Secret Service personnel,” the US Secret Service said in its press release.

Notably, the incident occurred near the White House, following three alleged assassination attempts on US President Donald Trump ahead of the presidential elections last year. However, he has faced multiple security incidents during his first term as US President till he took the office for a second term in January this year.

Trump has been involved in security incidents during his presidential campaigns and his first term in office, including assassination threats and attempts. The first known attempt occurred at a campaign rally a few weeks before Trump became the official nominee of the Republican Party in the 2016 presidential election. However, the most shocking incident was an attempt to assassinate Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally during the 2024 presidential election, which resulted in two deaths. The US President, who was the then Republican Nominee, had sustained an injury to Trump’s ear. Another alleged assassination attempt took place in September 2024 at the Trump International Golf Club.

There have been several recent instances of violence and attempted attacks on high-profile targets. In 2011, Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez fired multiple shots at the White House using a semi-automatic rifle. 

The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of security measures in place around the White House. The Secret Service has implemented additional security protocols, including personnel changes and physical improvements, such as surveillance cameras. 

The Metropolitan Police Department will investigate the shooting, as it involved law enforcement officers. Meanwhile, the incident has sparked a renewed debate about gun control and mental health, with many calling for stricter laws and increased support for those struggling with mental health issues.