Gunman arrested near White House told Secret Service he planned to kill Trump, DHS says

An undocumented immigrant armed with several weapons was arrested Thursday evening just blocks from the White House after allegedly telling Secret Service agents he was planning an attack on President Trump, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said.

The suspect, identified as Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos of Venezuela, was arrested on three counts each of illegal transportation of a firearm, carrying unregistered firearms and carrying unregistered ammunition, as well as one count each of possession of certain dangerous weapons, carrying a pistol without a license, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft and receiving stolen property, DHS said in a news release Friday.

Secret Service agents observed the suspect acting suspiciously in his vehicle and approached him while he was parked on Constitution Avenue, DHS said. A law enforcement source told CBS News the incident took place in the 1600 block of Constitution Avenue NW, near the Ellipse.

When officers confronted the suspect, DHS said, he allegedly told them he had heard voices in his head telling him to come to Washington, D.C., and assassinate Mr. Trump.

Secret Service agents learned the suspect’s vehicle had been reported stolen, DHS said, and the suspect allegedly admitted there were weapons in the vehicle.

When officers searched the vehicle, they found three firearms, including a rifle, as well as dozens of rounds of ammunition, according to DHS, which released a photo of the seized items.

“This is the latest example of Secret Service personnel relying on extensive training and experience to defuse a volatile situation that poses an imminent threat to our protectees and other Americans,” Secret Service Director Sean Curran said in a statement.

DHS said the suspect entered the United States via Texas in March 2024 and was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol, but was later released. It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney.

“Thanks to our courageous Secret Service agents, this illegal alien with three firearms in his vehicle was stopped near the White House before he could harm anyone,” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a separate statement.

Mr. Trump has been the target of multiple assassination attempts since entering political life, including a shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, during his second presidential campaign in July 2024, during which a sniper opened fire from the roof of a nearby building, killing one attendee and wounding Mr. Trump and two others.

In April, chaos erupted when an armed man security breach at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, attended by Mr. Trump and first lady Melania Trump. The suspect was arrested at the scene and a Secret Service officer was injured in the incident.