A late-night confrontation between law enforcement and suspected criminals unfolded in an upscale Washington, D.C. neighborhood where a high-ranking Biden administration official resides.
According to Fox News, a Secret Service agent discharged their weapon at multiple suspects attempting to break into vehicles near Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's residence early Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. when a Secret Service special agent on protective duty observed several individuals in a sedan trying to gain access to parked vehicles along the 2900 block of Stephenson Place NW. During the encounter, the situation escalated, leading to the agents firing their service weapon at the suspects.
USSS Chief Communications Officer Anthony Guglielmi provided details about the confrontation, confirming that while shots were fired, there was no immediate evidence suggesting anyone was struck. The suspects managed to escape in their vehicle, prompting local law enforcement to issue an alert.
The Metropolitan Police Department's Internal Affairs Division's Force Investigations Team has taken charge of investigating the officer-involved shooting. This specialized unit handles all cases involving law enforcement officers discharging their weapons within the District of Columbia.
The U.S. Attorney's Office will conduct an independent review of all evidence and facts related to the incident, following standard protocol for such cases.
This event marks the second significant security incident involving federal law enforcement and attempted car theft near a high-ranking official's residence in recent months. A similar situation occurred in July when U.S. Marshals confronted an armed suspect near Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's home.
In the July incident, 18-year-old Kentrell Flowers approached an unmarked Marshal's vehicle and pointed a handgun at the officer inside. The confrontation resulted in both Deputy U.S. Marshals at the scene firing their weapons.
Chief Communications Officer Guglielmi emphasized the outcome of Tuesday's incident, stating:
At approximately 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, a U.S. Secret Service special agent working a protective assignment in the 2900 block of Stephenson Place NW observed a sedan with multiple occupants who were attempting to open car doors along the street. As the sedan approached the agent, a confrontation occurred between the agent and the car's occupants. The agent discharged their service weapon, but there is currently no evidence to indicate anyone was struck.
The Secret Service confirmed that neither Yellen nor any other protected individuals were threatened during the incident. It remains unclear whether the Treasury Secretary was present in her residence at the time of the confrontation.
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by law enforcement agencies protecting government officials in the nation's capital. These agencies must balance the need for effective protection with appropriate use-of-force protocols.
The Metropolitan Police Department continues to investigate the incident, though no suspects have been identified. Local law enforcement maintains an active search for the vehicle and its occupants.
A Secret Service agent's confrontation with suspected carjackers near Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's Washington, D.C. residence has triggered a comprehensive investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies. The incident, occurring in the early hours of Tuesday morning, resulted in shots being fired but no reported injuries. The Metropolitan Police Department, along with the U.S. Attorney's Office, will review all aspects of the case, including the circumstances that led to the discharge of the agent's weapon.
