Secret Service agents arrested a Venezuelan national near the White House on Thursday after he was found in a stolen vehicle containing multiple firearms and ammunition. The suspect, identified as Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos, reportedly told authorities that voices in his head instructed him to travel to Washington D.C. to kill Donald Trump.
Agents approached Chrinos after observing suspicious behavior in the car parked on Constitution Avenue, which borders the President's Park. A check revealed the vehicle was stolen. Following Chrinos' admission of possessing weapons, agents discovered an AR-15-style rifle, two handguns, and dozens of rounds of ammunition.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated, "Thanks to our brave Secret Service officers, this illegal alien with three firearms in his vehicle was arrested near the White House before he could harm anyone." Mullin added that Chrinos was an "illegal alien from Venezuela who had no business being in our country in the first place."
According to a DHS spokesperson, Chrinos had previously been subject to the Biden administration's catch and release policy at the Texas border in 2024.
Chrinos faces numerous charges, including carrying a rifle outside a home or business, unlawful transportation of firearms, unregistered firearms and ammunition, possession of dangerous weapons, carrying a pistol without a license, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft, and receiving stolen property. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer with the U.S. Marshals Service for Chrinos, who is currently in custody.
The incident recalls previous threats to the President. Donald Trump has faced multiple alleged assassination attempts, including an incident where shots were fired during a 2024 rally in Pennsylvania.