US Secret Service officers arrested an armed man near the White House late on Thursday night. The man was in a stolen truck on Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC. Officers found three guns and dozens of rounds of ammunition in the vehicle.
The Department of Homeland Security said the man told officers that voices in his head had told him to come to Washington and kill President Donald Trump. No charge of assassination has been announced. The man is in custody. He was held without bond after a court hearing on Friday.
Armed Man Found Asleep in Stolen Truck
Patrol officers saw a blue Ford F-150 pickup parked on Constitution Avenue at about 11:42 pm on 5 November 2026. They walked up to the truck to check on the man inside. He was asleep in the vehicle. NBC News reported that the stop began as a welfare check. The officers wanted to make sure that he was safe.
The man was Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos. He is 26 years old. He is a Venezuelan national. Officers woke him and spoke to him. He used Google Translate to talk with them. He said he had been living in the truck. He also said he bought the guns about a month earlier.
He told officers that the truck belonged to his boss. He said his boss had lent it to him. The truck had also been reported stolen. Officers took him into custody at the scene. No one was hurt during the arrest.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin praised the officers. He said: “Thanks to our brave Secret Service officers, this illegal alien with three firearms in his vehicle was arrested near the White House before he could harm anyone.”
Secret Service Director Sean Curran said the officers used their training to calm a tense scene. He said: “This is the latest example of Secret Service personnel relying on extensive training and experience to deescalate a volatile situation that posed an imminent threat to our protectees and other Americans.”
Three Guns, Dozens of Rounds Recovered
A search of the truck found three guns. Officers found an AR-15-style rifle. They also found a MAC-10 handgun and a Glock 43X pistol. They found dozens of rounds of ammunition as well. An AR-15-style rifle is a long gun. A MAC-10 is a small handgun. A Glock 43X is a pistol. All three guns were in the same vehicle.
The man faces a long list of charges. He is charged with carrying a rifle outside a home or business. He faces three counts each of unlawful transportation of a firearm, unregistered firearms, and unregistered ammunition. He is also charged with carrying a pistol without a licence. Other charges are unauthorised use of a motor vehicle, theft, and receiving stolen property. No charge of assassination has been announced. Prosecutors are still reviewing the case.
The Department of Homeland Security said the man entered the United States illegally through Texas in March 2024. Border Patrol officers arrested him at that time. He was later released. Immigration officers have now lodged an immigration detainer against him. He remains in the custody of the US Marshals Service. He appeared before the DC Superior Court on Friday. The court ordered him held without bond. He was expected to appear in federal court on Monday.
The White House gave no comment on the case. It referred questions to the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service.
Threat Claim Missing From Court Papers
The court affidavit gives a different account of what the man said at the scene. Through Google Translate, he said he had the gun because people tried to kill him with it. He said he wanted to hand the weapons over to the government. That account does not mention voices. It does not mention a plan to kill the president.
The claim that voices told him to kill President Trump comes from a statement by the Department of Homeland Security. It does not appear in the court affidavit. ABC News reported that the affidavit leaves out that claim.
This difference matters. A public statement and a court paper are not the same thing. A public statement can share what officials say happened. A court affidavit is a sworn paper that is filed in court. It records what officers say they saw and heard. When the two do not match, readers should be careful. They should wait for more court papers and more facts. The man has not been charged with trying to kill the president. The facts in court will shape the case as it moves ahead.
Why White House Draws Armed Threats
The Secret Service guards the president. It also guards the White House and other top leaders. Its officers work at gates, on streets, and on patrol near the White House. They must act fast when they see a risk. They must also stay calm in tense moments.
The White House is a strong symbol of the United States. For that reason, it can draw people who want attention. It can also draw people who are in crisis. CNN reported that the Secret Service says the White House has seen a significant uptick in cases that involve mental health issues. Officers often meet people who are unwell and who need help.
In May, Secret Service officers shot and killed a man near a White House security checkpoint. The man had previous mental health issues. He had opened fire at the scene. That case showed how fast a check near the White House can turn into a threat.
The Associated Press said this arrest is the latest in a series of arrests. The series involves people who threatened President Trump or his family since he returned to office. Each case is different. But the pattern has raised fresh questions about safety around the president. It has also raised questions about how officers should respond to people in crisis.
The case will now move through the courts. Federal prosecutors will decide if more charges should follow. For now, the man stays in custody. The Secret Service says its officers will keep up patrols near the White House. The goal is to keep the president, staff, and the public safe.
| Suspect | Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos |
| Age | 26 |
| Arrest | 11:42 pm, 5 Nov 2026 |
| Place | Constitution Avenue, near White House |
| Vehicle | Blue Ford F-150, reported stolen |
| Weapons | AR-15-style rifle, MAC-10, Glock 43X + dozens of rounds |
| Entry to US | March 2024 via Texas |
| Status | US Marshals custody, held without bond |
The Department of Homeland Security said officers arrested the man before he could harm anyone. No charge of assassination has been announced. The claim about voices comes from a Homeland Security statement. It does not appear in the court affidavit. Officers found three guns in the truck. The case is still in its early stage.
He is charged with carrying a rifle outside a home or business, and with carrying a pistol without a licence. He faces three counts each of unlawful transportation of a firearm, unregistered firearms, and unregistered ammunition. He is also charged with unauthorised use of a motor vehicle, theft, and receiving stolen property. No assassination charge has been announced.
He appeared before the DC Superior Court on Friday. The court ordered him held without bond. He was expected to appear in federal court on Monday. He remains in US Marshals Service custody. Prosecutors are reviewing the case. They will decide if more charges should follow.
