A man shot by Secret Service agents outside the White House has been identified as 27-year-old Andrew Dawson from Indiana, who deliberately provoked law enforcement in an apparent suicide attempt.
Key Insights
- Andrew Dawson, 27, traveled from North Manchester, Indiana to Washington D.C. with suicidal intentions.
- Secret Service officers shot Dawson during a confrontation where he was armed with both a knife and gun.
- Indiana police had alerted D.C. authorities in advance that Dawson was headed to the area and was suicidal.
- Intelligence indicated Dawson specifically wanted to commit “suicide by cop” near the White House.
- The incident occurred just after midnight near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Armed Confrontation Near White House
Secret Service officers confronted and shot Andrew Dawson during an armed standoff near the White House complex on Sunday. The 27-year-old Indiana man was carrying both a knife and a gun when agents encountered him just after midnight approximately one block from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. According to official reports, Dawson refused to drop his weapons when commanded by officers, leading to the shooting. The incident prompted an immediate security response in the area surrounding the White House.
“The Secret Service shot a man during an armed confrontation near the White House Sunday, the agency announced.” – Source
Warning Signs and Police Alerts
Information has emerged indicating that Dawson’s confrontation with Secret Service was not a spontaneous event. Law enforcement officials in Indiana had already alerted Washington D.C. authorities that Dawson was traveling to the capital and had expressed suicidal thoughts. The North Manchester resident, from a town approximately 100 miles north of Indianapolis, was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis that culminated in his decision to travel to Washington D.C. with weapons, apparently seeking to provoke a lethal response from law enforcement.
“Indiana police had notified D.C. authorities that Dawson was driving to the Washington, D.C. area and was ‘suicidal.’ Intelligence bulletins also indicated that the suspect wanted to commit ‘suicide by cop.'” – Source
“Suicide by Cop” Motivation
Authorities have determined that Dawson’s actions align with what law enforcement refers to as “suicide by cop” – when an individual deliberately provokes police into using deadly force. Intelligence briefings shared between law enforcement agencies had specifically noted this intent before the incident occurred. The Secret Service responded to the scene after receiving an alert about a potentially suicidal individual in the vicinity of the White House complex, indicating that there was some level of advance warning about the potential threat.
“Dawson, from North Manchester, Indiana — about 100 miles north of Indianapolis, was ‘suicidal’ when he drove to the Washington D.C. area, according to intelligence given by Indiana cops, sources said.” – Source
Security Response and Investigation
The Secret Service’s response to Dawson underscores the agency’s protocols for handling armed threats near protected sites. While details about Dawson’s background and what specifically triggered his suicidal crisis remain limited, investigators are examining his movements prior to the confrontation. The coordination between Indiana police and D.C. law enforcement demonstrates the information-sharing systems designed to track potentially dangerous individuals across state lines, though in this case, the warning was not sufficient to prevent the armed confrontation from occurring.
Sources:
- UPDATE: Man Shot by Secret Service Outside White House Identified, Motive Released
- Secret Service shoots armed man in confrontation near White House
