Vance Was In Area Mins Before Secret Service Shot Man Near WH

Security around the White House was temporarily elevated Monday evening after an armed confrontation near the Washington Monument led to a Secret Service officer-involved shooting and a brief lockdown of the surrounding area.

According to Mathew C. Quinn, the incident unfolded only minutes after Vice President JD Vance had departed the vicinity.

The United States Secret Service confirmed the incident in an official statement, saying, “U.S. Secret Service personnel are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting at 15th Street and Independence Avenue in Washington, D.C.”

A follow-up statement added: “The incident resulted from a confrontation between an armed individual and Secret Service Police.”

Authorities say the suspect, described as a young individual acting suspiciously, allegedly fired at Secret Service personnel before being neutralized. The individual was transported to a nearby hospital with injuries that officials said were not life-threatening.

The shooting occurred on the National Mall, roughly one mile from the White House complex. Although there was no direct threat to the White House itself, security protocols triggered a temporary evacuation and lockdown before officials later issued an “all clear.”

The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed it is actively investigating the incident.

“MPD is on scene of this investigation at 15th Street and Independence Ave, SW. The scene is secure,” the department stated.

“Avoid the area as roads will be closed for several hours. Additional updates to come as information is confirmed.”

The alarming incident comes just days after another major security scare involving President Donald Trump at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Federal prosecutors allege that Cole Tomas Allen attempted to storm the event while armed and with the intention of targeting President Trump and senior administration officials.

Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, appeared in federal court late last week after being formally charged. Prosecutors allege he entered the Washington Hilton carrying multiple firearms while President Trump, Cabinet officials, journalists, and political figures attended the high-profile event.

“He attempted to assassinate the president of the United States, Donald J. Trump,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Ballantine told the court. “We are asking the court to preventatively detain Mr. Allen.”

Jeanine Pirro addressed the case publicly Monday, warning that the investigation remains ongoing.

“Cole Allen’s journey of accountability in the criminal justice system starts today,” Pirro said during a press conference. “There will be additional charges as this investigation continues to unfold.”

“But make no mistake, this was an attempted assassination of the President of the United States, with the defendant making clear what his intent was,” she continued. “And that intent was to bring down as many of the high ranking Cabinet officials as he could. This is the kind of situation that we cannot tolerate.”

According to a newly unsealed probable cause affidavit, Allen traveled cross-country by train from California to Washington, D.C., arriving shortly before checking into the Washington Hilton for a planned three-night stay.

Federal investigators say Allen was arrested while carrying both a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun and a Rock Island Armory 1911 .38-caliber pistol. Law enforcement records reviewed during the investigation indicate the firearms were legally purchased in California in separate transactions dating back to 2023 and 2025.

Authorities also allege Allen distributed a written manifesto to family members shortly before the planned attack. In the document, he reportedly outlined intentions to target President Trump and other administration officials while making inflammatory accusations against the president.

Investigators say Allen apologized to friends and family in the manifesto but claimed he believed he had a moral obligation to act.

The pair of back-to-back security incidents is expected to intensify concerns about growing political extremism and threats against elected officials as President Trump continues his second term in office. Supporters of the administration argue the incidents reflect increasingly dangerous rhetoric directed at conservatives and America First leaders by radical political activists and media figures.

Federal authorities have not yet announced whether additional suspects or accomplices are under investigation in either case.