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WASHINGTON — U.S. Secret Service agents shot an armed individual near the White House early Sunday as part of a confrontation, authorities reported. The suspect, believed to be traveling from Indiana, was involved in an incident that unfolded around midnight, just a block from the presidential residence. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported in the shooting.
At the time of the incident, President Donald Trump was in Florida. The Secret Service received alerts from local police concerning a potentially “suicidal individual” heading from Indiana. Upon locating the individual’s vehicle and a person matching his description, officers approached to investigate.
According to the Secret Service’s statement, as officers moved in, the individual displayed a firearm, leading to an armed standoff in which agents fired their weapons. The condition of the man following the shooting is currently unknown, but he was transported to a hospital for treatment.
The investigation into the shooting has been assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department, which will conduct a thorough inquiry due to the involvement of law enforcement personnel. However, further details about the incident have not been disclosed by the police department.
This event raises important questions about security protocols in high-profile areas, particularly considering the proximity to the White House and the presence of the President at the time. Following such incidents, there is often renewed dialogue about measures to ensure safety in public spaces and the complexities surrounding mental health crises and law enforcement responses.
Source
globalnews.ca