U.S. Secret Service shoots armed man near White House
A U.S. Secret Service agent shot a male suspect Friday afternoon outside the White House gates, CBS' Jeff Pegues reports.
The suspect, identified by multiple law enforcement sources as Jesse Oliveri of Pennsylvania, walked up to a White House checkpoint carrying a silver Ruger pistol shortly after 3 p.m. Secret Service uniformed officers ordered him to drop the weapon and when he refused, an agent shot him, authorities said.
In a joint statement, The Metropolitan Police Department, the United States Secret Service, the United States Park Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation said late Friday that at this time, based on a preliminary investigation, there is no known nexus to terrorism. However, an investigation continues into the motives behind his actions.
There are witness accounts indicating he may have fired the weapon shortly after exiting his vehicle, according to law enforcement sources. Authorities have recovered the gun and are investigating how he acquired it.At this time, based on a preliminary investigation, there is no known nexus to terrorism. However, an investigation continues into the motives behind his actionsAt this time, based on a preliminary investigation, there is no known nexus to terrorism. However, an investigation continues into the motives behind his actions
The suspect suffered critical injuries, according to Pegues, citing law enforcement sources. He was taken to George Washington University Hospital, a few blocks from the White House. He made statements suggesting that he wanted to die, Pegues reports, indicating a potential suicide-by-cop scenario.
The shooting took place at 17th and E Streets, NW --- near, but not inside the White House. The shooting triggered a lockdown there Friday afternoon immediately after the shooting, but it was lifted shortly after 4 p.m. ET.
Secret Service and local police also closed 17th Street between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues for a brief time.
The president was not at the White House -- he was golfing at Joint Base Andrews. Vice President Biden, however, was at the White House complex during the shooting, although his spokesperson says he was kept in a secure location.