There are new details surrounding the shooting that took place near the motorcade of Vice President JD Vance last week, according to authorities. The Texas man accused of firing on Secret Service officers reportedly said “F**k the White House!” before opening fire.
The Department of Justice has charged Michael Marx, 45, of Midland, with several offenses, including assaulting federal officers with a dangerous weapon, using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful firearm possession as a convicted felon.
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Monday, the department said in a statement, the Daily Caller reported.
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Marx was arrested after Secret Service agents encountered him with a handgun on the National Mall, near Vance’s motorcade as it was moving from the White House. A significant law enforcement presence was observed blocking traffic on Monday, according to the DCNF.
A Secret Service agent observed Marx walking with what appeared to be a firearm concealed in his clothing as Vance drove through 15th Street and Independence Avenue SW, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Agents began to follow him and issued commands just before he drew the weapon in front of bystanders, which led to a gunfight between him and the agents. During the confrontation, he wounded a bystander, as stated by prosecutors. Agents later arrested him after he collapsed on the ground from gunshot wounds.
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“F*** the White House,” Marx allegedly said while in an ambulance, along with, “Kill me, kill me, kill me.”
Officials identified the suspect through his Texas driver’s license and found “aliases including Patrick Michael and Michael Zavici,” the DOJ said. He allegedly had no license to carry a handgun in Washington.
Marx was arrested less than two weeks after California teacher Cole Allen was charged for attempting to enter the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington armed with multiple weapons, with the intention of assassinating President Donald Trump. The Department of Justice did not specify whether they believe Marx also targeted Trump or any other officials, the Daily Caller noted.
“We will prove this defendant carried an illegal firearm into the heart of Washington, D.C., opened fire at Secret Service officers near a crowded intersection, and shot an innocent bystander who was simply crossing the street with his family,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro.
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“My office will pursue the most serious charges available against anyone who brings gun violence to our streets, particularly when that violence unfolds steps from the seat of our government and the path of the Vice President of the United States.”
Trump was asked during a Q & A with reporters in the Oval Office a few days after the WHCD shooting if he was giving any thought to wearing a bulletproof vest, giving an answer that set off laughter throughout the room when he said he didn’t think he could “handle looking 20 pounds heavier.”
“These guys, they look so good,” he continued, motioning towards others standing behind him at the Resolute Desk. “Some of these guys are physical specimens.”
A Secret Service agent wearing a bulletproof vest was shot at during the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner on Saturday, but fortunately, he was not seriously injured, The Hill reported.
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“Frankly, the vest did an amazing job because it took a bullet close-up,” Trump said in response to a question from a reporter. “He didn’t even want to go to the hospital. We sent him to the hospital just in case.”
“The vest totally protected him. Still, a lot of power behind that shotgun. That’s like getting hit by Mike Tyson,” he said.
The president said the question about a vest is something that has been asked before. “I guess it’s something you consider,” he said. “In one way you don’t like to do it because you’re giving into a bad element.”
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