An active-duty U.S. Army soldier has filed a $25 million [1] lawsuit against the U.S. Secret Service following a shootout near the White House.
The legal action highlights potential failures in public safety protocols during high-stakes security operations in the nation's capital. It raises questions about the agency's liability when bystanders are injured during official engagements.
Pfc. Benjamin Del Real Jr. was struck by a stray bullet during the incident in May 2024 [2]. The shooting occurred outside the White House in Washington, D.C. [3]. Del Real, who was a bystander at the time, suffered life-threatening injuries as a result of the gunfire [4].
In the filing, the soldier alleges that the Secret Service mishandled the response to the shootout [1]. The lawsuit said the agency failed to exercise reasonable care for public safety during the gunfight [5]. This lack of caution, the suit said, led directly to the injuries sustained by Del Real [5].
The legal challenge seeks $25 million [1] in damages. The case centers on whether the tactical decisions made by agents during the May 2024 [2] encounter met the standard of care required to protect civilians in the immediate vicinity of the White House [5].
Representatives for the U.S. Secret Service have not yet provided a formal response to the specific allegations in the lawsuit. The case is currently moving through the legal system as the soldier seeks accountability for the incident that occurred two years ago.
“Pfc. Benjamin Del Real Jr. filed a $25 million lawsuit against the U.S. Secret Service.”
This lawsuit tests the legal immunity and liability of the U.S. Secret Service when operational failures result in civilian casualties. By seeking $25 million, the plaintiff is challenging the agency's tactical execution and its duty of care toward bystanders during active engagements in densely populated urban areas.
