Secret Service Sued
Wounded Army Private Sues Secret Service Over Alleged Negligence in White House Shootout
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Key Points
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The gunman was identified as Nasire Best; he pulled a weapon from his bag and began firing toward a Secret Service outpost during the May 23 clash near the White House, and Best was shot by agents and died later at a local hospital.
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Benjamin Del Real Jr., 25, a Kansas-born private first class in the U.S. Army, was on leave with his father and sister when he was shot in the right abdomen and required emergency surgery; he later had surgery for a torn ACL and was expected to undergo a third operation.
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AP reporting notes that the bystander was hit by a stray bullet during the exchange near the White House.
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The legal action is being pursued as an administrative claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act, described as the first step toward a potential lawsuit.
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Reuters notes that Secret Service agents fired many rounds in the exchange across a busy intersection while responding to the incident.
An active-duty Army soldier shot near the White House in May is suing the Secret Service for $25 million, claiming agents recklessly endangered civilians during a gunfight at a busy intersection. AP reported that Pfc. Benjamin Del Real Jr., 25, was hit by a stray bullet on May 23 when agents exchanged fire with a gunman outside a Secret Service outpost.
Del Real, a Kansas-born private first class, was on leave with his father and sister when he was shot in the right abdomen. He required emergency surgery, later had surgery for a torn ACL, and faces a third operation, according to AP.
How the May 23 Shooting Unfolded Near the White House
The gunman, identified as Nasire Best, pulled a weapon from his bag and opened fire toward a Secret Service outpost near the White House. Agents returned fire across a crowded intersection. Best was shot, rushed to a local hospital, and died there.
AP confirmed that at least two bystanders were hit during the exchange. Del Real was one of them. His lawyers say agents fired many rounds in a public area without adequate care for the civilians around them.
Soldier's Injuries Required Multiple Surgeries
Del Real was shot in the right abdomen and rushed into emergency surgery. That was only the beginning. He later underwent a second surgery for a torn ACL and is expected to need a third operation, according to AP.
Del Real was on leave and had no role in the incident. His lawyers describe him as an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire. He was 25 years old and serving on active duty at the time of the shooting.
Lawyers File Federal Claim as First Step Toward Lawsuit
Del Real's legal team is pursuing the case under the Federal Tort Claims Act. This law lets people sue the federal government for harm caused by its employees. The administrative claim is the required first step before a formal lawsuit can be filed, according to AP.
The lawyers are also demanding that the Secret Service preserve key evidence. That includes firearms, shell casings, and surveillance footage from the scene. Journal-News reported that the team is seeking $25 million in damages. The Secret Service has not commented on pending litigation.
Case Raises Broader Questions About Force in Urban Settings
Del Real's lawyers argue that agents have a duty to protect the public, not just to stop a threat. Firing many rounds across a busy intersection, they say, put innocent lives at risk. The case puts a spotlight on how the Secret Service uses force in crowded city environments.
MyNorthwest noted the shooting has drawn wider scrutiny of White House security operations. The incident raises hard questions: When agents respond to a threat in a public space, how much risk to bystanders is acceptable? Del Real's case may push the courts to answer that question.
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