Assassination attempt on Trump: Ammunition cache found in his vehicle

The alleged assassination threat against US President Donald Trump mobilized security units in Washington. 26-year-old Venezuelan Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos, who was sleeping in his parked car near the White House, was detained by Secret Service officers. It was stated that the suspect stated that he heard voices telling him to kill Trump. An AR-15 type rifle, MAC-10 type weapon, Glock 43X pistol and a large amount of ammunition were seized in the vehicle.

HE WAS DETAINED NEAR THE WHITE HOUSE

According to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and court documents, the incident took place on Thursday night at 23:42 local time. Secret Service officers approached a blue Ford F-150 pickup truck parked on Constitution Avenue near the White House complex following suspicious behavior.

The officers woke up Chrinos, who was sleeping in the vehicle, and first checked the situation. The suspect used the Google Translate app on his phone to communicate and said he had weapons in the vehicle that he wanted to hand over.

DHS said Chrinos told officers he heard voices commanding him to come to Washington and kill Trump. However, it was stated that this claim was not included in the court report, which included other statements made during the encounter.

THREE GUNS AND MANY BULLETS WERE FOUND IN THE VEHICLE

During the search of the vehicle by Secret Service officers, an AR-15 type rifle, MAC-10 type gun, Glock 43X pistol and a large amount of ammunition were seized.

Chrinos said he purchased the guns about a month ago and was living in the vehicle, according to court documents. The suspect also claimed that he took the gun from people who tried to kill him and stated that he could hand it over to the officers without resistance.

Authorities determined that the pickup truck had been reported stolen. Chrinos argued that the vehicle did not belong to him and that he borrowed it from his employer.

MULTIPLE ACCUSES OF THE SUSPECT

The US Department of Homeland Security announced that Chrinos was charged with possessing and carrying an unlicensed and unregistered firearm, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft and accepting stolen goods. It was reported that federal prosecutors continue to review the evidence and the suspect is expected to appear in federal court on Monday.

DHS announced that Chrinos, a Venezuelan citizen, entered the United States via Texas in March 2024. The ministry stated that Border Patrol officers caught the suspect after he entered the country but later released him. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) requested the authorities to keep Chrinos in custody within the scope of possible immigration proceedings.

THREAT WARNING FROM THE SECRET SERVICE

Secret Service Director Sean Curran said in a statement following the incident that security officers are trained to intervene in such situations.

“While our personnel are trained to respond to these types of situations and we have full confidence in our tactics, we are concerned by the increase in threat incidents that continue to emerge,” Curran said.