US Secret Service officers have arrested a man near the White House after finding three firearms and dozens of rounds of ammunition inside his vehicle. The suspect allegedly told officers that voices in his head had urged him to travel to Washington and kill President Donald Trump.
The arrest took place on Thursday night when Secret Service officers noticed a man behaving suspiciously inside a parked car. Officers approached him and began an investigation, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.
The man was identified as Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos. During the encounter, he reportedly described hearing voices that instructed him to come to the US capital and kill the Republican president.
Further checks revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen. Officers then discovered three firearms and dozens of rounds of ammunition inside the car. Authorities have not released details about the types of weapons or explained whether the suspect had used them.
The Department of Homeland Security said Chrinos had been charged and transferred to the custody of the US Marshals Service. The department described him as a Venezuelan national who was living in the United States without legal immigration status.
According to the official statement, Chrinos entered the country through Texas in March 2024. Officials have not provided further information about his immigration history or whether he had any previous contact with law enforcement.
The White House declined to comment on the arrest. Instead, officials directed questions to the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service, which were involved in the case.
The arrest comes amid continued security concerns surrounding Trump and his family. Since returning to office last year, the president has faced several reported threats. The Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies have made arrests in cases involving individuals accused of threatening the lives of Trump or his relatives.
The latest incident has drawn attention to the security measures in place around the White House. The Secret Service is responsible for protecting the president and securing key government locations. Its officers also monitor activity in nearby streets and respond to reports of suspicious behaviour.
In this case, officers decided to approach the parked vehicle after noticing the suspect’s actions. That encounter led to the discovery of the reported stolen car and the weapons inside it.
Authorities have not said how long the vehicle had been parked in the area or whether Chrinos had tried to enter the White House grounds. They have also not confirmed whether he had made any direct attempt to approach the president.
The details released so far do not explain when the alleged threats were first made. Investigators have not publicly stated whether they found evidence of a planned attack or whether anyone else was involved.
The suspect’s reported claim about hearing voices has also not been independently examined in the information made public by officials. No further details about his personal circumstances or possible motive have been released.
The case is now in the hands of federal authorities, with Chrinos held by the US Marshals Service. Prosecutors will handle the charges, while investigators are expected to examine the vehicle, weapons and statements made during the arrest.
The discovery of multiple firearms and ammunition near the White House has added to the security concerns surrounding the president. However, officials have not announced any wider changes to security arrangements following the incident.
For now, the investigation remains focused on the suspect, the alleged threat and how he came to possess the reported stolen vehicle and firearms. Further information is expected to emerge as the federal case moves forward.
