Secret Service Agent ‘Expected to Survive’ After Accidentally Shooting Himself During Saturday Night ‘Negligent Discharge’
Republican presidential candidate former U.S. Secret Service agents rush the stage during. Campaign rally with Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
A US Secret Service Agent is expected to recover after he reportedly shot himself with his own weapon in what the agency called a “negligent discharge” Saturday night in Washington.
It was not clear as of Sunday morning exactly what led to the incident that left the agent wounded by his own weapon. The agency is already under intense scrutiny following two assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump in as many months. WUSA9 reported:
A U.S. Secret Service (USSS) agent accidentally shot and injured himself Saturday evening. He is expected to survive.
According to USSS, the agent was on duty during the “negligent discharge” while he was handling his weapon shortly before 8 p.m. in the area of 32nd and Fessenden streets Northwest. His injuries were not life threatening, and the officer was taken to a hospital for evaluation and treatment. USSS says no one else was injured in the incident.
The agency is currently conducting an internal investigation into the matter, according to DC’s CBS News affiliate.
The Secret Service has faced bipartisan scorn since July 13, when a gunman in Butler, Pennsylvania was able to get a clear line of sight of Trump as he spoke to rallygoers.
Trump was grazed in the ear by a bullet. One of Trump’s supporters, retired firefighter Corey Comperatore, was killed by a bullet police said was fired by Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Last Sunday, Trump was golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida, when his Secret Service detail proactively opened fire on Ryan Routh. Police said had posted up on the perimeter of the Trump International Golf Club with the intent to assassinate the 2024 Republican nominee for president.
Trump was not injured, nor was Routh, who was quickly arrested.
The suspect reportedly left behind two backpacks, a camera, and an AK-47 rifle equipped with a scope.
