A shot rang out near the Washington Monument and a bystander was also hit. An unidentified man opened fire after a confrontation with police officers near JD Vance’s motorcade.
On Monday, security forces shot an unknown man near the Washington Monument in the US capital. According to US Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn, the suspect opened fire after being confronted by officers. TASR informs about it based on AP and Reuters reports.
Officers returned fire, but the suspect shot a bystander, according to Quinn. Shortly before the incident, a motorcade with US Vice President JD Vance was passing through the area. But Quinn says there is no indication she was the target of the shooting.
A call to avoid the area
The authorities began investigating the incident in Washington’s National Mall. The White House was briefly closed. The Secret Service is urging people to avoid the area. The condition of the person who was shot is unknown.
At the end of April, there was a shooting during a gala dinner with journalists in Washington, which was also attended by US President Donald Trump. The head of the White House and the other participants of the event escaped unhurt. These were suffered by one member of the secret service.
Shooting suspect
According to American media, the suspect in the shooting is 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen from California, who was armed with a shotgun, a pistol and knives. According to authorities, he was apparently a guest at the hotel where the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) annual dinner was being held.
