The U.S. Secret Service shot an individual on Sunday morning outside the White House during an "armed confrontation," according to a statement from the agency. The incident followed a tip-off from local law enforcement regarding a "suicidal individual who may be traveling to Washington DC from Indiana." Upon arrival at the scene, agents encountered a man who matched the description and was observed brandishing a firearm, prompting a response where shots were fired.
The injured man has been transported to a hospital, with his condition currently reported as "unknown." Notably, President Donald Trump was not present in the White House during the event, as he is currently at his Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago.
"In the process of approaching the individual, he brandished a firearm, leading to an armed confrontation in which shots were fired by our personnel," the Secret Service affirmed in their release. The Metropolitan Police of Washington, D.C., is now conducting an investigation into the shooting, as they are responsible for reviewing law enforcement-related incidents in the area.
More details are expected to emerge as the investigation continues, raising discussions regarding the Secret Service's handling of protectees and operational procedures during critical incidents.
