During President Joe Biden's recent trip to California for a Hollywood fundraiser, a US Secret Service member discharged their service weapon while being robbed at gunpoint. The incident took place in Tustin, California, as the Secret Service member was returning from a work assignment.
The USSS spokesperson, Anthony Guglielmi, confirmed that the employee fired their gun during the robbery, but it is unclear if the suspect was hit. Fortunately, the Secret Service member did not sustain any injuries during the altercation.
The Tustin Police Department reported that the robbery occurred around 9:36 p.m. PT near a residential community. The suspect stole the Secret Service member's bag and fled the scene in a silver Infiniti FX35 or a similar vehicle.
President Biden had already returned to his hotel before the incident, following a successful campaign fundraiser in Los Angeles. The event featured a conversation between Biden and former President Barack Obama, moderated by Jimmy Kimmel, and was attended by celebrities such as George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Jack Black.
Although the suspect remains at large, the police recovered some of the stolen belongings belonging to the Secret Service employee in the vicinity. The Tustin Police Department is actively investigating the incident.
This is not the first time a Secret Service member has discharged their weapon in defense. Last year, a similar incident occurred in Washington, DC, when a Secret Service member on security detail for Naomi Biden fired at suspects attempting to break into a US government vehicle. Two individuals were charged in connection with that incident earlier this year.
