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The suspect who allegedly opened fire in Washington DC — as US Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade was set to roll through — uttered “f*** the White House” on his way to the hospital, officials revealed as they unmasked the shooter.
Michael Marx, of Midland, Texas, was identified as the man who allegedly shot a bystander during a shootout with Secret Service agents around 3.40pm on Tuesday, DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced.
The 45-year-old suspect — who was shot three times — allegedly ranted “f*** the White House” and “kill me! Kill me! Kill me!” in an ambulance on the way to the George Washington University Hospital, a criminal complaint alleges.
The terrifying incident near the Washington Monument and the National Mall unfolded after a plain-clothed Secret Service agent saw Marx trying to hide a firearm on the right side of his body as he was in the area near 15th Street and Madison Drive, the court papers allege.
That agent called in a team of backup Secret Service officers who found Marx near 15th Street Southwest and Independence Ave Southwest “walking along the path of” Mr Vance’s motorcade which had left the White House minutes earlier, the docs claim.
The agents started filing out of cars and yelling commands at Marx who fled across the street with a group of bystanders as he pulled a gun out of his waistband, the complaint alleges.
Once Marx was on the other side of the street he turned around and fired at one agent, striking a kid in the leg as he was out with his family, the court papers claim.
The agents “returned fire” hitting Marx in the hand, left arm and upper stomach, the complaint alleges.
The victim — a juvenile — was taken to a hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Officers recovered a Sig Sauer P365 pistol and 9mm bullets in the magazine from the scene, the complaint says.
Marx didn’t have a license to carry in DC and he allegedly had a prior conviction in Florida for drug trafficking.
“We will prove this defendant carried an illegal firearm into the heart of Washington, D.C., opened fire at Secret Service officers near a crowded intersection, and shot an innocent bystander who was simply crossing the street with his family,” Pirro said in a statement.
“My office will pursue the most serious charges available against anyone who brings gun violence to our streets, particularly when that violence unfolds steps from the seat of our government and the path of the Vice President of the United States.”
He is charged with assaulting federal officers with a dangerous weapon, using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
It was not immediately known who was legally representing Marx.
The shooting happened less than two weeks after Cole Allen allegedly opened fire in the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner where President Trump, wife Melania and his top cabinet members were in attendance.
The soiree was evacuated and one Secret Service agent was struck by Allen’s bullet but was saved by his bulletproof vest.
Allen is charged with trying to kill the president and related crimes.
He’s yet to enter a plea in the case.
This article originally appeared in the New York Post and has been reproduced with permission.
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