According to ChainCatcher citing Fox News, U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials said a Venezuelan national was arrested by Secret Service agents near the White House on Thursday night. Agents approached his vehicle on Constitution Avenue in Washington after noticing suspicious behavior. The man said voices in his head told him to travel to Washington to assassinate the president and admitted there were weapons in the vehicle.

The vehicle had previously been reported stolen. A search found three firearms and dozens of rounds of ammunition, including an AR-15-style rifle and two handguns. The suspect, Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos, entered the United States through Texas in March 2024 and was previously arrested by Border Patrol before being released into the country during the Biden administration.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requested that the U.S. Marshals Service, which is holding the suspect, detain him. Prosecutors filed charges including carrying a rifle outside a home or business, illegally transporting firearms, possessing unregistered firearms and ammunition, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft, and receiving stolen property. Secret Service Director Sean Curran said personnel used their training to address an imminent threat to their protectee and the public.