By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• U.S. Secret Service officers shot a man Monday afternoon near the Washington Monument after he opened fire on agents in Washington, D.C., officials said.
• The suspect was spotted in the area near the White House and attempted to flee before firing at officers, prompting them to return fire.
• The unidentified man was transported to a local hospital; his condition remains unclear.
• A minor bystander was also shot and taken to a hospital with what officials described as non-serious injuries.
• The incident triggered a large law enforcement response and a brief security lockdown near the White House as investigations continue.
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Secret Service officers shot an armed man Monday afternoon after he opened fire on them near the Washington Monument in the nation’s capital, authorities said.
Plainclothes Secret Service agents first spotted the suspect in the vicinity of the White House complex around 3:30 p.m. and saw the imprint of a firearm, prompting a brief pursuit and a call for uniformed officers to assist, Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn said.
The unidentified man attempted to flee when uniformed officers approached, and he fired at them, officials said. The officers returned fire, striking the suspect, who was subsequently transported to a local hospital; his current condition has not been released.
Police also transported a minor who was wounded during the incident to a hospital. Officials have not determined definitively whether the bystander was struck by fire from the suspect or during the law enforcement response, though investigators believe the wound came from the suspect’s shots.
The shooting prompted a large security response on the National Mall and a brief partial lockdown of the White House area as authorities secured the scene. The Metropolitan Police Department is assisting in the ongoing investigation.