The Secret Service shot a man during an armed confrontation near the White House early Sunday morning, the agency confirmed. The incident unfolded shortly after midnight, about a block west of the White House near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Law enforcement sources identified the suspect as 27-year-old Andrew Dawson of Indiana. Authorities stated that Dawson was armed with both a firearm and a knife when Secret Service agents confronted him in response to an earlier alert from Indiana police.
According to Daily Mail, Indiana law enforcement had notified authorities in Washington, D.C., that Dawson was driving toward the area and was considered suicidal. Intelligence bulletins further indicated that the suspect had expressed a desire to commit “suicide by cop.”
Around midnight, Secret Service personnel located Dawson’s parked vehicle near 17th and F Streets, NW, and spotted a man nearby matching his description. As agents approached, they ordered him to drop his weapons, but Dawson did not comply. Instead, he reportedly reached toward his waist, prompting the Secret Service to open fire.
“As officers approached, the individual brandished a firearm, and an armed confrontation ensued, during which shots were fired by our personnel,” the agency wrote in an official statement.
Dawson was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment, though his current condition remains unknown. Authorities have not provided further details regarding the extent of his injuries.
Fortunately, no Secret Service personnel were injured during the confrontation. The agency assured that appropriate protocols were followed, and that further information would be released as the investigation progresses.
As per standard procedure, the Metropolitan Police Department will lead the investigation into the shooting, as they are the primary agency responsible for handling use-of-force incidents in the District of Columbia. The Secret Service confirmed its full cooperation with the investigation to ensure transparency.
The shooting has raised concerns about security near the White House and other government buildings. Although the motive behind Dawson’s actions remains under investigation, the intelligence bulletins indicating his intention to provoke a deadly response from law enforcement add a complex dimension to the case.
Officials are also reviewing how Dawson was able to travel from Indiana to Washington, D.C., while being flagged as a potential threat. It remains unclear whether law enforcement attempted to intercept him before his arrival in the nation’s capital.
Authorities are expected to examine his background, mental health history, and any potential connections to prior threats against government officials or institutions.
President Donald Trump was not present at the White House during the incident. According to his official schedule, he was at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida at the time. The president is expected to leave Mar-a-Lago later today and return to Washington, D.C.