The incident occurred on the evening of November 5. Secret Service agents noticed a man behaving suspiciously in a car parked on Constitution Avenue near the White House. Upon detention, the individual claimed he heard voices ordering him to come to Washington and kill the U.S. President, the Associated Press reported, citing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Weapons and circumstances of the detention
During a search of the vehicle, which turned out to be stolen, law enforcement discovered an arsenal and ammunition. The detainee was identified as Venezuelan citizen Ronny Yordriks Guanipa Crinos. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, he illegally crossed the country's border through the state of Texas in March 2024.
The man has been charged with illegal possession and transportation of weapons, use of a stolen vehicle, and receipt of stolen property. He is currently in custody.
The incident testifies to the ongoing high level of security threats to the president.
Context
The event took place in Washington near the White House, the residence of the U.S. President. The detainee, Ronny Yordriks Guanipa Crinos, arrived in the U.S. from Venezuela, which has a population of over 31 million people.
