US Secret Service agents protecting Joe Biden's granddaughter Naomi Biden open fire in car break-in incident

Granddaughter Naomi Biden, US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden exit Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House October 11, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Granddaughter Naomi Biden, US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden exit Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House October 11, 2021 in Washington, DC. Photo credit: Drew Angerer / Getty Images

US Secret Service agents detailed to protect President Joe Biden's granddaughter fired shots after three people tried to break into an unmarked Secret Service vehicle late Sunday in Washington, the Associated Press reported.

In a statement, the US Secret Service said agents encountered "possibly three" people breaking a window on an unoccupied government vehicle, with one agent discharging a weapon and the suspects immediately fleeing the scene.

"It is believed no one was struck," the Secret Service said in the statement, which did not confirm whether the agent who discharged the weapon was part of a detail to protect Naomi Biden. The statement said the incident took place shortly before midnight in Washington's posh Georgetown neighbourhood.

"There was no threat to any protectees," the Secret Service said.

The AP, which said the agents were accompanying Naomi Biden in the neighbourhood a the time, cited an official who spoke on condition of anonymity. A Secret Service spokesman said he could not confirm the AP account due to security reasons.

Reuters