A White House security incident occurred on November 5, 2026, when a Venezuelan national was arrested near the complex. Ronny Guanipa-Chrinos was found sitting in a stolen vehicle on Constitution Avenue containing a MAC-10 machine pistol, a Glock 43x pistol, and an AR-15 rifle. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the suspect allegedly threatened to kill President Donald Trump. The arrest followed a patrol by a Secret Service officer who discovered the vehicle shortly before midnight. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.
Details of the arrest and firearm seizure
The arrest took place on Constitution Avenue, situated near the White House complex, during a late-night patrol by the Secret Service. A patrol officer identified a blue Ford F-150 parked in the area shortly before midnight on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Upon approaching the vehicle to conduct a welfare check, the officer engaged with the occupant, identified in a criminal complaint as Ronny Guanipa-Chrinos.
According to a complaint affidavit filed in D.C. Superior Court, the officer asked Guanipa-Chrinos if he was okay and if he possessed any weapons. The suspect allegedly responded by shaking his head 'yes' and making a finger gun gesture toward the officer. This interaction led to the discovery of several weapons and ammunition inside the vehicle.
Inventory of seized items
Investigators recovered multiple firearms and ammunition from the stolen Ford F-150. The items documented in the affidavit include:
- One MAC-10 machine pistol
- One Glock 43x pistol
- One AR-15 rifle
- Dozens of rounds of ammunition
The presence of these weapons in a vehicle parked near the presidential complex triggered an immediate law enforcement response and subsequent investigation by the Department of Homeland Security.
Alleged threats against President Trump
The Department of Homeland Security reported that Guanipa-Chrinos allegedly made specific threats regarding the life of President Donald Trump. According to the DHS, the suspect claimed to have heard voices in his head that instructed him to travel to Washington, D.C., for the purpose of killing the President. While these remarks were cited by the DHS, the affidavit filed in D.C. Superior Court did not explicitly include these specific statements.
During the initial encounter with investigators, Guanipa-Chrinos reportedly used Google Translate to communicate his intentions and the presence of the weapons. According to the affidavit, he stated, "I have the gun because they tried to kill me with it, and I had to take it away from them; it's in the brown bag." This statement suggests a defensive justification for the possession of the firearms, though the investigation continues to examine the context of his arrival in the capital.
Legal charges and judicial proceedings
Following the seizure of the weapons and the identification of the vehicle as stolen, authorities filed multiple criminal charges against the suspect. Ronny Guanipa-Chrinos faces a range of charges related to both the vehicle and the firearms recovered during the incident. The legal proceedings are currently being handled through the D.C. Superior Court system.
The specific charges brought against Guanipa-Chrinos include:
| Charge Category | Specific Allegations |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Offenses | Unauthorized use of a vehicle; receiving stolen property |
| Firearms Offenses | Carrying a pistol without a license; carrying a rifle without a license; other firearms charges |
Guanipa-Chrinos made his initial appearance in court on Friday, November 6, 2026. According to online court records, he is currently being held without bond pending further legal action. The status of his detention reflects the severity of the charges and the nature of the alleged threats against the President.
Context of the vehicle and suspect identity
The investigation has established that the blue Ford F-150 used by the suspect had been previously reported as stolen. This fact, combined with the unauthorized possession of high-capacity firearms, forms a central part of the criminal complaint. The identity of the suspect, a Venezuelan national, has been confirmed as part of the official documentation released by the DHS and court filings.
The incident highlights the ongoing security protocols maintained by the Secret Service around the White House complex. The patrol officer's decision to approach the parked vehicle on Constitution Avenue resulted in the immediate interception of the suspect before any potential action could be taken. Law enforcement agencies are continuing to process the evidence seized from the vehicle to determine the full scope of the suspect's intent and any potential accomplices.