US Secret Service arrests armed man near White House allegedly intending to kill Trump

On Thursday night, a Venezuelan man named Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos was arrested near the White House by US Secret Service officers. The officers discovered three firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition inside a vehicle they believed to have been stolen. Chrinos, who is 26 years old, allegedly told the officers that he had been hearing voices instructing him to travel to Washington and kill the US President, Donald Trump.

The incident occurred around midnight on Thursday when a patrol officer noticed the blue Ford F-150 parked on Constitution Avenue, close to the White House complex. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer asked Chrinos if he was alright and if he possessed any weapons. Chrinos nodded and made a finger-gun gesture. After exiting the car, he allegedly stated through Google Translate that he had acquired the gun because others were attempting to kill him, and he needed to remove it.

During the search, officers found an AR-15-style rifle, two handguns, and a bag containing the ammunition.

Chrinos, who entered the United States illegally through Texas in March 2024, is currently in the custody of the US Marshals Service. He faces multiple charges, including unlawful transportation of firearms, carrying unregistered firearms and ammunition, possession of dangerous weapons, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft, and receiving stolen property.

Secret Service Director Sean Curran emphasized that the arrest is a result of the agency's training and experience in handling volatile situations that could pose an imminent threat to both the protected individuals and the general public. He highlighted the ongoing threat environment surrounding the White House complex, where numerous armed individuals have shown interest.