Follow up on shootout by White House on May 4th: what we now know

On May 4, 2026, around 3:30–3:40 p.m. local time, U.S. Secret Service officers were involved in a shootout with an armed suspect near the Washington Monument on the National Mall, roughly 4 blocks (about half a mile) from the White House.

The suspect, Michael Marx [interesting surname, right?], 45, of Midland, Texas, was spotted by plainclothes Secret Service agents concealing a firearm. This was near 15th Street and Madison Drive NW.

Agents followed Marx, who also goes by the aliases Michael Patrick, Patrick Michael, and Michael Zavici. The agents called for uniformed backup as Marx fled on Independence Ave. SW. As he ran, he drew a Sig Sauer P365, turned and fired at pursuing officers who returned fire.

Marx was struck multiple times in the arm, hand, upper abdomen, back and leg. His wounds were not life threatening and he was hospitalized at George Washington University Hospital.

A teenage bystander was grazed in the leg during the shooting and another civilian witness was also reportedly hit. The teen is expected to recover and no Secret Service officers were injured. A gun, previously described, was recovered at the scene.

The White House area was immediately locked down with a shelter-in-place for White House staff and reporters was given. The incident occurred shortly after VP JD Vance's motorcade passed nearby while President Trump was safe inside.

While being transported to the hospital, Marx reportedly made remarks like "F**k the White House" and "Kill me, kill me, kill me."

Marx was charged in U.S. District Court in D.C. with offenses including assault on a federal officer and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. 

Currently, investigators are examining his background, phone and other devices, and possible motives via search warrants. There is no public indication of who Marx was targeting or a broader plot, as the probe continue.

This incident appears to be unrelated the April 2026 White House Correspondence Dinner perpetrated by suspect Cole Allen.

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