A gunman was shot by Secret Service members after being spotted with a firearm just outside the White House at midnight on Saturday night.
The armed man, from Indiana, parked his vehicle on 17th and G Streets – just a stone’s throw away from the President’s home – and was walking around the streets with a gun.
Secret Service agents received intelligence that the man, who was reported as experiencing suicidal ideation, would be making a journey to the Capitol on Saturday.
President Trump was at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida when the ordeal took place.
When agents found him, the suicidal man brandished his firearm – triggering an armed confrontation just feet from the White House.
The man, who was not been identified, was rushed to hospital with injuries. The Secret Service members were unharmed during the incident.
Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications for the United States Secret Service, said on Sunday morning: ‘Secret Service personnel were involved in a shooting following an armed encounter with a person of interest shortly after midnight on March 9 at 17th and G Streets NW.’
The armed man had parked his vehicle on a street just to the left of the White House (stock image.) President Trump was not at home in DC during the ordeal
The Secret Service explained that agents spotted his car on the street directly to the left of the White House.
They then spotted the individual on foot who matched the description.
The statement continued: ‘As officers approached, the individual brandished a firearm and an armed confrontation ensued, during which shots were fired by our personnel.
‘The suspect was transported to an area hospital and his condition is unknown. There were no reported injuries to Secret Service personnel.
‘The incident is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department Internal Affairs Division’s Force Investigations Team, which investigates all law enforcement officer involved shootings in the District of Columbia.’
A gunman has been shot by Secret Service members after being spotted just outside the White House after midnight on Saturday
This is a breaking news story.
