Secret Service agents shot a 27-year-old Indiana man armed with a gun and knife just one block from the White House after he allegedly sought “suicide by cop” during a tense midnight confrontation.
Key Takeaways
- Andrew Dawson, 27, from Indiana was shot by Secret Service agents after brandishing weapons and refusing to comply with orders to disarm near the White House.
- Local Indiana authorities had warned DC police about a “suicidal individual” traveling to Washington before the incident occurred.
- President Trump was in Florida at the time of the shooting, which took place around midnight about a block from the White House.
- No Secret Service agents were injured during the confrontation, which is now under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Force Investigations Team.
- The incident appears to have been a potential “suicide by cop” scenario based on intelligence received by authorities.
Armed Confrontation Near White House
An armed confrontation between Secret Service agents and a man from Indiana ended in gunfire just one block from the White House early Sunday morning. The incident occurred around midnight at 17th and G Streets NW in Washington, DC. Secret Service agents responded after being alerted by police about a potentially suicidal individual who had traveled from Indiana to the nation’s capital. The suspect, later identified as 27-year-old Andrew Dawson, was armed with both a firearm and a knife during the encounter.
“As officers approached, the individual brandished a firearm and an armed confrontation ensued, during which shots were fired by our personnel,” the Secret Service stated in their official communication regarding the incident. Authorities had located Dawson’s vehicle and spotted someone matching his description nearby, which prompted agents to approach him. When confronted, Dawson allegedly refused to comply with orders to drop his weapons and instead reached toward his waist, leading agents to fire in self-defense.
US Secret Service shot a man who pointed a gun at officers near the White House in Washington DC last night during a possible “suicide by cop” situation. https://t.co/QFN012cY8R pic.twitter.com/U3wqT02DVO
— DMV News Live (@DCNewsLive) March 9, 2025
Suspect’s Intentions and Current Status
According to law enforcement sources, intelligence suggested that Dawson intended to commit “suicide by cop,” a situation where an individual deliberately acts in a threatening manner toward law enforcement with the goal of provoking officers to use deadly force against them. Authorities received advance warning about Dawson’s potential intentions, allowing them to be on alert when he arrived in the Washington, DC area. Following the shooting, Dawson was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries, though his exact condition remains undisclosed at the time of publication.
President Donald Trump was not in any danger during the incident, as he was staying at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida at the time of the confrontation. No Secret Service agents or other law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident. Security protocols remained in effect around the White House complex throughout and following the confrontation, with no breach of White House security reported.
Investigation Underway
The Metropolitan Police Department Internal Affairs Division’s Force Investigations Team has taken the lead in investigating the shooting, as is standard procedure for incidents involving law enforcement officers discharging their weapons. Investigators will review all available evidence, including potential surveillance footage, officer statements, and witness accounts to determine the exact sequence of events leading up to the shooting. The investigation will examine whether proper protocols were followed during the confrontation.
This incident highlights the continuous vigilance required of Secret Service personnel tasked with protecting the White House complex and its occupants. The Secret Service regularly deals with potential threats and suspicious individuals in the vicinity of protected sites. The agency works closely with local law enforcement to monitor and respond to emerging situations that could pose a risk to national security assets. For individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, resources are available through the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
