A Venezuelan national has been arrested near the White House after allegedly threatening to kill US President Donald Trump, following a security encounter in which officers reportedly discovered three firearms and dozens of rounds of ammunition inside a vehicle suspected of being stolen.
The suspect was identified by US authorities as Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos. According to information released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), US Secret Service officers approached him on Thursday evening after noticing suspicious behaviour inside a parked vehicle on Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC.
During the interaction, the man allegedly told officers that voices in his head had instructed him to travel to the US capital and kill Trump. The statement was reported by federal authorities and has not been independently established as a fact in court.
The discovery of weapons inside the vehicle raised further security concerns. Officials said the car had been reported stolen. A subsequent search reportedly uncovered three firearms, including an AR-15-style rifle and two handguns, along with dozens of rounds of ammunition.
Secret Service officers noticed suspicious vehicle
According to the official account, the incident began when Secret Service personnel noticed the suspect sitting in a parked car near the White House complex. The officers approached him to investigate his behaviour and question him.
The encounter led to the alleged threat against the president becoming known to authorities. The discovery that the vehicle had been reported stolen, together with the presence of multiple weapons, prompted further action.
The Secret Service is responsible for protecting the US president, vice-president and other designated national leaders. Its personnel also help secure important government locations, including the White House and areas around presidential movements.
The arrest took place close to one of the most heavily protected government complexes in the United States. Although the available information does not establish that the suspect reached the White House itself or attempted to enter the building, the reported threat and weapons discovery are likely to draw attention to security arrangements around the presidential residence.
Three firearms and ammunition reportedly recovered
DHS said officers found three firearms inside the vehicle. The weapons reportedly included an AR-15-style rifle and two handguns. Dozens of rounds of ammunition were also recovered.
The vehicle’s reported stolen status added another element to the investigation. Authorities are expected to examine how the suspect obtained the vehicle, whether he had legal access to any of the weapons and what circumstances brought him to the area.
The presence of firearms near a protected government location does not, by itself, establish that an attack was imminent. However, when combined with an alleged direct threat against the president, it becomes a serious matter for federal investigators.
The authorities have not publicly established whether the suspect had any accomplices, whether he had conducted surveillance of the White House or whether he had made preparations beyond travelling to Washington. Those questions would require evidence gathered during the investigation.
Suspect taken into federal custody
Following the arrest, Chrinos was placed in custody and remained under the control of the US Marshals Service, according to the Associated Press report. Reports citing DHS said he faced charges connected with the vehicle and firearms.
The exact legal allegations and their eventual outcome will be determined through the US judicial process. An arrest and the filing of charges do not establish guilt. Prosecutors must present evidence, and the accused is entitled to respond to the allegations in court.
DHS described Chrinos as a Venezuelan migrant who was in the United States unlawfully. The Associated Press reported that he entered the country through Texas in March 2024. Immigration authorities have also reportedly placed a detainer in connection with his case.
The immigration issue is separate from the criminal allegations. Any decision concerning his immigration status would be subject to the relevant legal procedures and would not, on its own, determine whether he committed the alleged offences.
Officials highlight security risks around the president
The incident comes amid continuing concerns about threats directed at Trump and other senior American political figures. The president receives extensive protection, and the Secret Service routinely assesses potential risks involving individuals, weapons and suspicious activity near locations associated with him.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin praised the officers involved in the arrest, saying their intervention prevented the suspect from harming anyone. The department’s statement placed particular emphasis on the weapons reportedly found in the vehicle.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran also described the security environment around the White House as a challenging one, pointing to the continuing presence of armed individuals near the complex, according to reporting by FOX 5 DC.
The case is likely to bring renewed attention to how security agencies respond when a person makes a threat against a president. Such investigations can involve examining statements, digital communications, travel history, weapon ownership and any evidence of planning.
Investigation must establish the full circumstances
Several important questions remain unanswered. Investigators will need to determine whether the alleged threat was part of a concrete plan, what motivated the suspect’s actions and whether the weapons were intended for any specific purpose.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed that an assassination attempt took place. The currently available account describes an arrest following an alleged verbal threat and the discovery of weapons in a vehicle near the White House.
The distinction matters because a threat, possession of weapons and an attempted attack are different legal and factual issues. Each requires its own evidence and assessment.
For now, the arrest has ended the immediate encounter, but the investigation and court proceedings will determine what happened and what charges can be supported. The case also underscores the importance of rapid intervention when security personnel encounter a potentially dangerous situation near a protected government site.
Until the allegations are tested in court, Chrinos remains a suspect and is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
