Texas Man Michael Marx Charged After Shooting Secret Service Near Washington Monument

A Texas man, Michael Marx, 45, of Midland, Texas, was charged in connection with a shooting on Monday near the Washington Monument as a motorcade carrying Vice President JD Vance passed. Federal prosecutors said the incident occurred at 15th Street and Independence Avenue SW in Southwest Washington, and that a plainclothes U.S. Secret Service agent noticed Marx “appearing to conceal a firearm in his waistband.” The Secret Service agent requested help, uniformed officers approached, and prosecutors allege Marx reached into his waistband, drew a gun, and fired toward an officer and in the direction of a juvenile passerby behind the officer. The bystander was hit in the leg, and officers returned fire, striking Marx in the hand, left arm, and abdomen, after which investigators recovered a Sig Sauer P365 near where he lay.

During the confrontation and its aftermath, multiple outlets reported that Marx made vulgar statements about the White House while being transported to a hospital. AP reported that federal prosecutors said Marx received multiple gunshots during the Monday confrontation and was taken to a hospital when he said “Que se j... la Casa Blanca” and “Mátenme, mátenme, mátenme” —tres veces—, according to Jeanine Pirro. The Washington Post and ABC News both described the same alleged remarks in English, with ABC quoting that Marx said “F--- the White House” and “Kill me, kill me, kill me” while in the ambulance. U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said her office would pursue charges, and the Hill and UPI both tied the case to federal charges including assaulting federal officers with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Prosecutors said Marx faces three federal charges, including 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 Justice Department said the shooting took place as the motorcade for Vice President JD Vance was departing the White House and passing through the area of 15th Street and Independence Avenue SW, which is described as heavily populated with tourists. CBS News reported that the charging document says Marx did not have a license to carry a gun in D.C. and that he was previously convicted of drug trafficking in Florida in 2011. Pirro said her office would pursue “the most serious charges available,” framing the case as gun violence unfolding “steps from the seat of our government and the path of the Vice President of the United States.”