WASHINGTON — A U.S. Secret Service officer shot and wounded an armed man Monday afternoon near the Washington Monument after the suspect opened fire on law enforcement, authorities said. A teenage boy in the area was also struck by gunfire and is expected to recover.
The incident began around 3:30 p.m. when plainclothes Secret Service agents spotted a man near the White House who appeared to be carrying a firearm, according to Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn. Agents followed him briefly and alerted uniformed officers. When officers approached, the man ran and then fired at them, prompting agents to return fire.
The shooting occurred near 15th Street and Independence Avenue, close to the Washington Monument and roughly a mile south of the White House. The suspect, who has not been publicly identified, was taken to a hospital. Officials did not immediately release his condition.
A juvenile bystander—described as a teenage boy—was also hit during the exchange. Investigators believe the teen was likely struck by the suspect’s gunfire, though Quinn said medical analysis will determine the source of the round. The teen’s injuries were described as minor and non‑life‑threatening.
The White House was briefly placed on lockdown as emergency crews responded. Journalists outside were escorted into the briefing room, and President Donald Trump continued hosting a scheduled event without interruption.
Quinn confirmed that Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade passed through the area shortly before the shooting, though there was no indication the suspect was targeting the vice president, the president, or the White House complex.
Authorities recovered a firearm at the scene. The Metropolitan Police Department will lead the use‑of‑force investigation, which is standard procedure for shootings involving federal officers.
The incident comes amid heightened security in Washington following a recent attack outside the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, where a Secret Service officer was wounded. Officials said it is too early to determine whether Monday’s shooting is connected to any prior threats.