Venezuelan National Arrested Near White House with Firearms

Arrest of Venezuelan National Near the White House

Washington, Nov 7: A 30-year-old man from Venezuela was taken into custody close to the White House after US Secret Service agents found three firearms and ammunition in a stolen vehicle. The suspect reportedly claimed that voices in his head had urged him to kill President Donald Trump.

The apprehension occurred just before midnight on Thursday when a Secret Service officer, on a routine patrol near the White House, noticed a suspicious blue Ford F-150 parked on Constitution Avenue.

As per a criminal complaint filed in the DC Superior Court, the officer approached the truck and inquired if the individual inside felt safe and if he was armed.

The suspect, identified as Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos, allegedly nodded affirmatively regarding the presence of weapons and made a gesture resembling a gun with his fingers.

He then exited the vehicle and communicated with law enforcement using Google Translate.

During the interrogation, Guanipa Chrinos claimed he possessed a firearm because someone had previously tried to kill him with it, and he had taken it from that individual. He also pointed investigators to a brown bag located inside the truck.

A search of the stolen vehicle revealed an AR-15 rifle, two handguns, and ammunition.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the suspect allegedly stated that voices had commanded him to kill President Trump.

He appeared in DC Superior Court on Friday and is currently being held without bond, as per online court records.

DHS has identified Guanipa-Chrinos as an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela who entered the US through Texas in March 2024. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed an immigration detainer on him.

This incident has reignited discussions about security risks surrounding the US President and the White House, which is under strict security measures.

Earlier this year, in April, US authorities charged a suspect in a shooting incident during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with attempting to assassinate President Trump, highlighting a swift investigation that thwarted a potential large-scale attack.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche remarked that “that horrible act was stopped because of the courage and professionalism of law enforcement,” assuring that “the President and all the protectees and participants at the dinner were safe.”

The suspect, named Cole Tomas Allen in court documents, faced three federal charges: attempted assassination of the President, interstate transportation of a firearm to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a violent crime.