Secret Service Opens Fire Near White House as Armed Man Threatens Security
Paul Riverbank, 3/10/2025A potentially suicidal armed man from Indiana triggered a critical security response near the White House, resulting in Secret Service agents discharging their weapons. This incident, while concerning, demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence sharing and rapid response protocols protecting our nation's executive center.
The corridors of power fell silent this weekend when gunfire erupted near the White House, marking yet another test of the complex security apparatus that shields America's executive branch.
I've covered dozens of security incidents around 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue over my career, but this one stands out for its swift resolution. Just after midnight Sunday, Secret Service agents confronted an armed individual who had traveled from Indiana to Washington – a troubled soul who had already triggered law enforcement alerts.
The drama unfolded at the corner of 17th and F Streets Northwest, practically in the shadow of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi tells me agents spotted a suspicious vehicle matching earlier warnings. What happened next speaks volumes about the hair-trigger reality of protecting the presidential complex: the suspect pulled a weapon, forcing agents to make a split-second decision that ended in gunfire.
While President Trump remained safely ensconced at Mar-a-Lago, this incident joins a sobering list of security challenges at the White House. Back in 2011, I remember racing to cover Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez's attack, when his bullets actually struck the mansion's bulletproof glass. Even more haunting was my coverage of Francisco Duran's 1994 assault rifle rampage – 29 rounds that shattered the peace of a fall afternoon during Clinton's presidency.
What strikes me about yesterday's confrontation is how it highlights the evolution of White House security. The Secret Service's response was surgical – containing the threat while minimizing risk to the public. Now the Metropolitan Police Department's Force Investigations Team takes center stage, piecing together not just what happened, but why.
These incidents, while troubling, remind us of an uncomfortable truth: the White House will always attract those in crisis. The real story here isn't just about one night's violence – it's about the constant vigilance required to protect democracy's front porch, and the men and women who stand ready to make impossible decisions in mere seconds.
Paul Riverbank has covered Washington politics and security for over two decades. His latest book, "Power and Protection: Inside the Secret Service," debuts this fall.
