Washington, D.C. – Secret Service agents protecting President Joe Biden’s granddaughter, Naomi Biden, exchanged gunfire with suspects attempting to break into an agency vehicle in Georgetown late Sunday night, according to law enforcement sources.
Around 10:45pm, three unidentified individuals smashed a window of an unmarked Secret Service SUV assigned to Naomi Biden’s security detail, which was parked and unoccupied at the time. The incident occurred while the agents were accompanying the President’s granddaughter in the neighborhood.
Upon witnessing the break-in, one agent discharged their weapon at the suspects, who then fled the scene in a red vehicle. No injuries were reported from the gunfire. The Secret Service has issued an alert to the Metropolitan Police Department to locate the suspects’ car.
This incident comes amidst a sharp rise in carjackings and auto thefts in Washington D.C. this year. Authorities have recorded over 750 carjackings in 2022 so far. Violent crime has also surged over 40% compared to last year, punctuated by the armed robbery of a U.S. Congressman last month near the U.S. Capitol.
The attempted break-in and agent’s response will be reviewed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as is protocol for all police shootings in Washington D.C. The identities of the suspects and motive behind the attempted break-in remain unclear. The Secret Service has not released further details while the investigation is active.