A U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to provide protection for former First Lady Jill Biden accidentally shot himself in the leg on Friday morning near Philadelphia International Airport, according to an individual familiar with the incident.
The Secret Service issued a statement noting the event took place just after 8:30 a.m. EST and that the agent suffered a non-life-threatening injury. The statement did not name the protectee, but said the incident did not affect the protectee's movement and that the protectee was not at the location when the discharge occurred.
Philadelphia Police Department Corporal Jasmine Colón-Reilly said the agent "accidentally discharged his firearm" while traveling in an unmarked SUV near the airport. Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and transported the injured agent to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where the agent was in stable condition, Colón-Reilly said.
The Secret Service said its Office of Professional Responsibility will review the facts and circumstances surrounding the accidental discharge. The agency also reiterated its broader responsibilities, stating it provides security to current and former presidents, vice presidents and their families, as well as foreign leaders, and that it functions as an investigative agency.
The available information is limited to the statements issued by the Secret Service and by Philadelphia police. Those statements confirm the timing of the incident, the location near Philadelphia International Airport, the use of an unmarked SUV, the non-life-threatening nature of the wound and that a formal review by the Secret Service's internal oversight office is planned.
Summary of facts
- Incident occurred just after 8:30 a.m. EST near Philadelphia International Airport.
- An agent on assignment to former First Lady Jill Biden accidentally discharged his firearm and shot himself in the leg.
- The agent was transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in stable condition and the protectee was not present.
- The Secret Service's Office of Professional Responsibility will review the facts and circumstances.