Secret Service shoots armed suspect near the White House

Federal authorities are investigating after Secret Service agents shot an armed suspect near the White House Monday afternoon.

(NBC)- Federal authorities are investigating after Secret Service agents shot an armed suspect near the White House Monday afternoon.

According to the United States Secret Service, 45-year-old Michael Marx of Texas was taken into custody with non-life-threatening injuries following the exchange of gunfire near 15th Street and Madison Drive Northwest in Washington, D.C.

Emergency dispatch audio captured the frantic response as officers rushed to the scene.

Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn said plainclothes agents spotted the suspect and identified what appeared to be a weapon before approaching him.

Officials say Marx briefly fled on foot before allegedly pulling out a firearm and firing toward federal agents.

Agents returned fire, striking the suspect.

“That individual fled briefly on foot, withdrew a firearm and fired in the direction of our agents and officers,” Quinn said. “They returned fire and engaged.”

A teenage bystander, believed to be a tourist, was also injured during the incident after being grazed by a ricocheted bullet. Federal officials described the injury as superficial and non-life-threatening.

Witnesses described hearing a rapid burst of gunfire that sent people scrambling for safety.

“I heard shots, a lot of them. It was definitely a scary moment for sure,” one witness said.

The shooting unfolded shortly after Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade passed through the area, though officials say there is currently no evidence the suspect specifically targeted the vice president or the White House.

As a precaution, reporters and media personnel at the White House were temporarily ordered to shelter in place while heavily armed law enforcement officers and National Guard units secured the scene.

The Secret Service says a weapon was recovered and investigators are now working to determine the suspect’s motive and whether there was any political target connected to the incident.

“We’re patrolling this area and every site we do 24/7,” Quinn said. “Whether or not it was directed to the President or not, I don’t know, but we will find out.”