The man accused of shooting at a Secret Service agent during an altercation near the White House has been charged on three federal counts, including assault of an officer and illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia identified the suspect in Monday’s shooting as 45-year-old Michael Marx, a resident of Midland, Texas, according to a press release on Wednesday. The man faces three federal charges that will be investigated and prosecuted in Washington, D.C.
“We will prove this defendant carried an illegal firearm into the heart of Washington, D.C., opened fire at Secret Service officers near a crowded intersection, and shot an innocent bystander who was simply crossing the street with his family,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said in a statement. “My office will pursue the most serious charges available against anyone who brings gun violence to our streets, particularly when that violence unfolds steps from the seat of our government and the path of the Vice President of the United States.”
The charges Marx faces include assaulting federal officers with a dangerous weapon, using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The suspect was identified by plainclothes officers around 3:30 p.m. on Monday walking near the outer perimeter of the White House complex. Those agents observed a “visual print” of a firearm and, after following him for a “brief period of time,” called uniformed Secret Service Police to respond.
When uniformed officers arrived, they gave “verbal commands,” although officials did not specify what those orders were.
Marx then fled on foot and, while being chased by officers, he drew a firearm “from his waistband while running through the crosswalk toward bystanders.” He then shot toward the Secret Service agents, who returned fire.
A civilian witness standing behind the officer was wounded in the leg, according to the attorney’s office and traffic camera footage attached to the press release. Marx was struck in the hand, left arm and upper abdomen.
Both Marx and the bystander were transported to a local hospital for treatment. While in the ambulance, Marx allegedly made profane remarks such as: “(Expletive) the White House” and “Kill me, kill me, kill me.”
The firearm used by Marx was recovered by law enforcement officials, who confirmed he was not licensed to carry a handgun in the district.
It’s not clear whether the suspect had intentions to harm the president or enter the White House grounds. However, the incident occurred shortly after Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade drove through the area. Marx was “along the path” of the motorcade, according to the attorney’s office.
The shooting occurred just one week after an attempted assassination against President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. That incident has resulted in heightened security presence at certain areas in Washington, D.C.