Representative image from Wikimedia Commons. Probably not the actual guy who blasted himself in the foot.
A recent incident involving a uniformed Secret Service officer in Washington, D.C., has raised concerns about safety protocols within the agency. On the evening of September 22, 2024, the officer accidentally discharged his firearm while on duty close to the Israeli ambassador’s residence near 32nd and Fessenden Streets in northwest Washington, DC.
The agency, tasked with protecting some of the world’s most powerful individuals, has been flying more red flags in recent months than a Chinese military parade.
This “negligent discharge” resulted in the officer literally shooting himself in the foot. Fortunately, his injuries were not life-threatening, and he was promptly taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.
The officer, who is part of the Uniformed Division tasked with protecting foreign diplomatic missions, was handling his service weapon when the mishap occurred. No other individuals were harmed during the incident, and an internal investigation is now underway to determine the exact circumstances. Initial reports had misidentified the individual as a special agent. The Secret Service clarified that the officer involved was a member of the Uniformed Division. The identity of the officer involved in the shooting is not being released to the press at this time.
‼️‼️ A Secret Service agent accidentally shot himself last night. The injury is not life-threatening.
The incident occurred shortly before 8 p.m. in upper NW neighborhood in D.C. The USSS says no one else was injured, and the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility plans… pic.twitter.com/XI7x986HKm
A recent incident involving a uniformed Secret Service officer in Washington, D.C., has raised concerns about safety protocols within the agency. On the evening of September 22, 2024, the officer accidentally discharged his firearm while on duty close to the Israeli ambassador’s residence near 32nd and Fessenden Streets in northwest Washington, DC.
The agency, tasked with protecting some of the world’s most powerful individuals, has been flying more red flags in recent months than a Chinese military parade.
This “negligent discharge” resulted in the officer literally shooting himself in the foot. Fortunately, his injuries were not life-threatening, and he was promptly taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.
The officer, who is part of the Uniformed Division tasked with protecting foreign diplomatic missions, was handling his service weapon when the mishap occurred. No other individuals were harmed during the incident, and an internal investigation is now underway to determine the exact circumstances. Initial reports had misidentified the individual as a special agent. The Secret Service clarified that the officer involved was a member of the Uniformed Division. The identity of the officer involved in the shooting is not being released to the press at this time.
‼️‼️ A Secret Service agent accidentally shot himself last night. The injury is not life-threatening.
The incident occurred shortly before 8 p.m. in upper NW neighborhood in D.C. The USSS says no one else was injured, and the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility plans… pic.twitter.com/XI7x986HKm
The incident comes at a time when the Secret Service has been under scrutiny following several high-profile security lapses. Some reports suggest that recent reductions in firearms training frequency, especially post-COVID, may be contributing to such negligent discharges.
An officer from the Uniformed Division trains on a weapons range. Image Credit: United States Secret Service
Susan Crabtree, a correspondent with Real Clear Politics, has reported on information she received from a member of the Secret Service community. She says,
“The agency previously required all gun carriers within the National Capital Region to qualify monthly, but the training is less frequent now.”
She noted being told that special agents assigned to the presidential protective division and vice presidential protective division still have to qualify monthly, but others do not.
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