Texas Man Charged With Shooting at Secret Service Officers on National Mall

Michael Marx, 45, of Midland, Texas, was charged after an encounter on May 4 in which he discharged a Sig Sauer P365 toward a federal officer near 15th Street and Independence Avenue on the National Mall. Marx was shot multiple times in the abdomen, hand and left arm.

A 15-year-old bystander was struck in the leg, received treatment and has been released from the hospital, according to the federal affidavit.

According to the court filing, plainclothes Secret Service officers first spotted Marx near the White House complex after an agent reported seeing a firearm concealed on the right side of his body. When officers approached, Marx ran, produced the pistol from his waistband and fired at an officer.

Officers returned fire after Marx discharged his weapon. He collapsed after being struck three times. The affidavit states that as officers attempted to render first aid, Marx spit on them.

The filing does not specify whether investigators believe Marx had a particular target. Officials have not identified a clear motive. Marx had no obvious connection to Washington, according to law enforcement sources. He was convicted of drug trafficking in Florida in 2011, a conviction that prohibited him from possessing firearms.

Authorities said Marx had used aliases including Michael Patrick and Michael Zavici.

Photos released by the Justice Department show Marx in a grey shirt as officers in a vehicle with flashing lights approached him. He ran toward a group of tourists who had just crossed the street before opening fire, the images and accompanying statements indicate. The shooting occurred while President Trump was hosting a small business event at the White House, which was briefly locked down.

Investigators are executing search warrants on his phone, digital media and other locations to determine why he was in Washington and whether he posed any threat to specific individuals or entities. The incident adds to security concerns around the nation’s capital.