A 30-year-old Venezuelan national was arrested near the White House in Washington DC after US Secret Service agents discovered three firearms and ammunition inside a stolen vehicle, with the suspect allegedly telling authorities that voices in his head had instructed him to kill President Donald Trump. The arrest, which took place shortly before midnight on Thursday, 6 November, marks the latest in a series of security incidents targeting the US President.

How the Arrest Unfolded

A US Secret Service officer conducting a routine patrol near the White House spotted a suspicious blue Ford F-150 pickup truck parked on Constitution Avenue. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer asked the man inside whether he was safe and whether he was carrying any weapons. The suspect, identified as Ronny Yordrix Guanipa Chrinos, reportedly nodded in response to the weapons question and made a finger-gun gesture.

Guanipa Chrinos subsequently stepped out of the vehicle and communicated with investigators using Google Translate. During questioning, he reportedly told officers that he had a gun because someone had previously attempted to kill him with it and that he had taken it away from that person. He also directed investigators towards a brown bag inside the vehicle.

What Was Found Inside the Vehicle

A search of the stolen pickup truck uncovered an AR-15 rifle, two handguns, and ammunition. According to a criminal complaint filed in the DC Superior Court, Guanipa Chrinos allegedly told officers that voices had instructed him to kill President Trump. He appeared before the DC Superior Court on Friday, 7 November, and remains in custody without bond, according to online court records.

Immigration Background of the Suspect

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified Guanipa Chrinos as an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela who entered the United States through Texas in March 2024. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has also lodged an immigration detainer against him. The case is likely to intensify political debate around undocumented immigration and border security in the US.

A Pattern of Threats Against President Trump

This incident has once again drawn attention to the persistent security concerns surrounding the US President. Notably, in April 2026, US authorities charged the suspected gunman in the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting with attempting to assassinate President Trump. Officials at the time said the swift law enforcement response had prevented a 'massive attack' from unfolding.

The suspect in that earlier case, identified in court documents as Cole Tomas Allen, faced three federal counts: attempted assassination of the President, interstate transportation of a firearm to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said at the time that 'that horrible act was stopped because of the courage and professionalism of law enforcement,' adding that 'the President and all the protectees and participants at the dinner were safe.'

The latest arrest underscores the sustained and heightened security arrangements maintained around the White House, with investigators expected to probe the full circumstances of Guanipa Chrinos's presence in Washington and his acquisition of the stolen vehicle and weapons.