A man was shot by the U.S. Secret Service outside the White House early Sunday following an armed confrontation.
Authorities say the individual, who had reportedly traveled from Indiana, was intercepted after a police tip-off warned of a possible threat.
According to a statement from the Secret Service, local law enforcement had alerted them about a “suicidal individual” possibly heading to Washington, D.C., with a firearm. Officers later spotted a man matching the description near the White House and attempted to approach him.
“As officers approached, the individual brandished a firearm and an armed confrontation ensued, during which shots were fired by our personnel,” the Secret Service said. It remains unclear whether the suspect fired his weapon before being shot.
The man was taken to a hospital, and his condition remains unknown. Authorities have not yet disclosed his identity or a possible motive for his actions. The Metropolitan Police Department has launched an investigation, as is standard procedure for law enforcement-related shootings in Washington, D.C.
At the time of the incident, President Donald Trump was not at the White House. He was spending the weekend at his Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago. The White House has not yet issued an official statement.
Following the shooting, security was tightened around the White House. Pedestrian access was restricted, and roads in the vicinity were temporarily closed as investigators combed the scene for evidence. Eyewitnesses reported a heavy police presence in the area.
The Secret Service, responsible for protecting the president and key government sites, has dealt with security threats in the past, though incidents involving armed individuals near the White House remain rare.
Authorities have urged the public to come forward with any information about the suspect or his intentions. Further details are expected as the investigation continues.
