U.S. Secret Service Shoots Armed Man Near White House in Late-Night Confrontation

In the early hours of March 9, 2025, U.S. Secret Service personnel shot an armed man just blocks from the White House, following a tense confrontation. The incident unfolded shortly after midnight near 17th and F Streets NW, roughly one block from the White House perimeter, when officers encountered an adult male brandishing a firearm. The man was wounded and transported to a local hospital, though his condition remains undisclosed as of March 10.

The Secret Service had been on alert after D.C. Metropolitan Police received a tip on March 8 about a potentially suicidal individual traveling from Indiana to the capital. Authorities later located a vehicle matching the suspect’s description parked near the White House. When officers approached a man on foot who fit the profile, he displayed a weapon, prompting the Secret Service to open fire. No agents were harmed in the exchange.

At the time of the shooting, President Donald Trump was not in residence, having traveled to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for the weekend. The investigation has been turned over to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division Force Investigations Team, which oversees all officer-involved shootings in the District. Details about the man’s identity, motives, or the specific firearm involved have yet to be released as the inquiry continues.

This incident highlights the persistent security challenges surrounding the White House, a frequent target of threats and disturbances. Past events, such as fence breaches and armed standoffs, underscore the area’s vulnerability despite robust protective measures. As the investigation unfolds, questions linger about what drove the individual to confront law enforcement so close to one of America’s most guarded landmarks. Authorities have promised updates as more information becomes available.