The US Department of Homeland Security announced on Friday that a Venezuelan national was arrested near the White House on Thursday night. The incident occurred when Secret Service officers discovered three firearms and dozens of rounds of ammunition inside a vehicle that was reportedly stolen. The suspect has been identified as Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos, a 26-year-old man who is currently in the custody of the US Marshals Service.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Guanipa Chrinos allegedly told officers that he had heard voices instructing him to travel to Washington and kill US President Donald Trump. The affidavit details that a Secret Service officer on patrol spotted the vehicle, a blue Ford F-150, parked on Constitution Avenue near the White House complex shortly before midnight on Thursday.
The officer approached the vehicle and knocked on the window to check if the driver was okay and to ask if he possessed any weapons. In response, Guanipa Chrinos allegedly nodded and made a gesture with his fingers resembling a gun. After exiting the vehicle, he reportedly communicated with investigators using the Google Translate application. He stated, “I have the gun because they tried to kill me with it, and I had to take it away from them; it’s in the brown bag.”
Upon searching the vehicle, officers located an AR-15-style rifle and two handguns. The vehicle was found parked on Constitution Avenue in close proximity to the White House grounds. The discovery of the weapons led to the immediate arrest of the suspect, who faced multiple charges related to the firearms and the vehicle.
Guanipa Chrinos, who entered the United States illegally through Texas in March 2024, was charged with three counts each of unlawful transportation of a firearm, carrying unregistered firearms, and carrying unregistered ammunition. Additionally, he faced one count each for possession of certain dangerous weapons, carrying a pistol without a license, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft, and receiving stolen property.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran commented on the event, noting that it serves as a recent example of personnel relying on extensive training to de-escalate a volatile situation. He described the incident as posing an imminent threat to those under protection and other Americans. Curran stated, “This incident reflects the heightened threat environment in which we operate, as well as the continued number of armed individuals who are drawn to the White House complex.”
This event adds to a series of security concerns regarding the safety of the President. Donald Trump has survived several previous assassination attempts in recent history. One notable incident occurred in July 2024 during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he was wounded in the ear by a shooter.
Another incident took place in September when a gunman was discovered near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Additionally, a shooting occurred during a dinner hosted by the White House Correspondents' Association at the Washington Hilton. At that event, Trump and various administration officials were in attendance when the incident unfolded.
The Department of Homeland Security continues to monitor the situation as Guanipa Chrinos remains in federal custody. The case highlights the ongoing efforts by security teams to manage threats near the presidential residence and to respond to individuals who may be drawn to the White House complex with weapons.
The arrest marks another instance where the Secret Service has intervened to prevent a potential attack on the President. The combination of multiple firearms and the suspect's stated intent underscores the vigilance required in the current security environment surrounding the White House.
