A United States Secret Service officer was protected by a bulletproof vest after being struck during a gunfire exchange with an armed suspect at a security checkpoint in Washington, D.C., authorities have confirmed.
D.C. Police Chief Jeffery Carroll said the suspect, who was carrying a shotgun, handgun and several knives, attempted to breach a restricted area before being intercepted by Secret Service personnel.
Officer survives direct hit
According to officials, the officer was hit in the vest during the confrontation, preventing serious injury.
“A U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division Officer was struck in his vest… He seems to be in good spirits at this time,” Carroll said.
The officer did not sustain life-threatening injuries and remained conscious following the incident.
Rapid response at the checkpoint
Authorities said the suspect ran toward a security checkpoint before being stopped by officers stationed at the perimeter.
“As he ran through that checkpoint, members of law enforcement… intercepted that individual,” the police chief stated.
Law enforcement officers then engaged the suspect, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
Suspect captured alive
Despite the confrontation, the suspect was not shot and was taken into custody. Police described him as a lone actor, with no immediate indication of accomplices.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the motive behind the attempted breach and the level of threat posed.
The incident has drawn attention to the effectiveness of security protocols and protective gear used by officers deployed at high-profile events in the U.S. capital.
Authorities have since confirmed the situation is contained, with no ongoing threat to the public.
