Secret Service Shots Fire After Armed Suspect Flees Near White House; Bystander Juvenile Struck

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A suspect armed with a firearm was shot by Secret Service personnel near the National Mall on Monday afternoon, and a juvenile bystander was also hit during the exchange, according to senior agency officials.

Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn told reporters that the incident began around 3:30 p.m., when plainclothes agents patrolling the outer perimeter of the White House complex spotted a suspicious individual who appeared to have a weapon.

“They observed a visual print of a firearm,” Quinn said. “These are trained surveillance detection personnel out there looking every day to look for just that.”

After the agents called for support from marked uniformed Secret Service police, officers attempted to make contact with the suspect. The individual fled briefly on foot, withdrew a firearm, and fired in the direction of agents and officers, Quinn said. Secret Service personnel returned fire, striking the suspect, who was transported to a hospital. Quinn declined to comment on the suspect’s condition.

Deputy Director Quinn confirmed that at least one bystander—a juvenile—was hit by the suspect’s gunfire. The child is receiving treatment at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Asked whether the juvenile was definitely struck by the suspect rather than an officer, Quinn said, “Everything I’ve seen leads me to believe and the investigators believe he was struck by the suspect.”

He noted that the Vice President’s motorcade had transited through the area not long before the shooting. However, Quinn said there was no indication that the suspect approached or attacked the motorcade.

The suspect was not on White House property at the time of the encounter, Quinn confirmed, though the location was near the complex. A firearm was recovered, but Quinn declined to specify the type of weapon.

Uniformed Secret Service police officers engaged and fired at the suspect, Quinn said, while a male plainclothes agent made the initial visual identification. He added that the backpack seen near the scene was a Secret Service first aid trauma kit, not belonging to the suspect.

The Metropolitan Police Department will conduct the formal use-of-force investigation. Asked whether the incident was connected to recent attempts on President Donald Trump’s life, Quinn said, “I can’t say. I’m not going to guess on that.”

“Every time, we’re patrolling this area and every site we do 24/7 hardcore,” Quinn added. “Whether or not it was directed to the president or not, I don’t know, but we will find out.”