Texas man charged with shooting near Washington Monument

Federal prosecutors filed charges against a 45-year-old man in connection with a shooting near the Washington Monument on Monday afternoon, according to a Wednesday release. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office accused Michael Marx of shooting at Secret Service agents near a crowded intersection, where a juvenile bystander sustained a gunshot wound. The shooting happened at around the same time that Vice President J.D. Vance’s motorcade left the White House, according to the DOJ. Marx now faces charges of assaulting federal officers with a dangerous weapon, using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and felony firearm possession.

How did the shooting happen? Investigators say plainclothes Secret Service agents spotted Marx concealing a firearm just before 4 p.m. local time on Monday and requested backup from uniformed Secret Service agents in the area. Uniformed agents located and approached Marx along Vance’s motorcade route. Marx started walking toward a group of civilians crossing the street as the agents approached and appeared to ignore their verbal commands to stop, according to the DOJ.

Marx allegedly pulled a firearm from his waistband as he ran from law enforcement, before turning and firing on pursuing officers. The agents returned fire and hit Marx in the hand, arm, and upper abdomen. The alleged shooter collapsed on the street, and officials began administering first-aid measures before Marx was transported to the hospital. Court documents showed that during the ambulance ride, Marx reportedly cursed the White House and asked officers to kill him.

Investigators believe the shooter used a Sig Sauer P365 handgun loaded with 9 mm ammunition found near the area where Marx fell. An innocent bystander was shot while crossing the street with his family, according to Pirro. Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn told reporters on Monday that the bystander was a juvenile and the injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

Dig deeper: Read Travis K. Kircher’s initial report on the shooting.