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In a dramatic incident on Monday, U.S. Secret Service officers shot an armed individual near the White House, as confirmed by a federal source acquainted with the situation. The confrontation took place at the intersection of 15th Street and Independence Avenue, slightly more than half a mile from the iconic residence and within proximity to the Washington Monument.
According to details provided to Fox News Digital, Secret Service Uniformed Division officers were compelled to engage with the suspect after the person brandished a firearm. This prompted a swift response to neutralize the potential threat.
During a subsequent press briefing, Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn revealed that a juvenile bystander was inadvertently struck by the suspect. Fortunately, the child’s injuries are not life-threatening, and they are currently receiving medical attention at a local hospital, Quinn assured.
The scene unfolded against the backdrop of the White House, with the Washington Monument visible as a somber reminder of the incident’s proximity to national landmarks. (Matt Rourke/AP)
The White House is seen from the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. (Matt Rourke/AP)
Quinn said the confrontation began after trained surveillance personnel spotted a “visual print” of a weapon.
“My understanding is they observed a print,” Quinn said. “These are trained surveillance detection personnel out there looking every day to look for just that… and they observed a visual print of a firearm.”
“Upon making contact, that individual fled briefly on foot, withdrew a firearm and fired in the direction of our agents and officers,” Quinn said. “They returned fire and engaged.”
When asked if the suspect was targeting President Trump in light of the recent attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Quinn said he would not speculate.
U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One upon arrival from Miami on May 3, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Florida. (Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)
“I can’t say—I’m not going to guess on that,” Quinn said. “I can tell you that every time, we’re patrolling this area. In every site, we do 24/7, hardcore, whether or not it was directed to the president or not, I don’t know. But we will find out.”
The Washington Monument is seen with the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 18, 2021. (Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu Agency)
The suspect was believed to be alive and taken to a hospital, the source said. The situation appeared to be quickly contained, with no immediate indication of a broader threat, they said.
The Secret Service said in a post on X that one individual was shot by law enforcement. The Metropolitan Police Department said it is on the scene investigating and that the area has been secured.
Authorities urged the public to avoid the area as road closures were expected to last for several hours.
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