A Secret Service agent assigned to former first lady Jill Biden’s protective detail accidentally shot himself in the leg Friday morning at Philadelphia International Airport, authorities said. He was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening and was listed in stable condition. The Secret Service said the protectee was not in the immediate area when the firearm discharged.
According to The Associated Press, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi described the incident as a “negligent discharge.” Philadelphia Police Officer Tanya Little told the AP that the agent was traveling in an unmarked vehicle when the firearm accidentally discharged shortly before 9 a.m.
As reported by TMZ, initial accounts placed the shooting near the American Airlines departures area at Terminal C. On scene, photos and reports showed police tape around a black Chevrolet Suburban. TMZ also relayed a Secret Service statement saying the injury occurred while the agent was on a protective assignment.
How officials described the scene
Other law enforcement officers moved in to assist, and the wounded agent was transported to a nearby hospital, the AP reported. Heather Redfern, public affairs manager for the city’s Department of Aviation, told the AP that airport operations were not affected by the incident.
Precedent and oversight
Negligent discharges by federal protection officers are uncommon but not unheard of, and they typically lead to administrative reviews. In a similar 2024 case, local reporting said the Secret Service’s Office of Professional Responsibility reviewed the circumstances of an on duty accidental shooting, according to FOX29.
What happens next
The Secret Service has released only limited information so far and has not identified the agent involved. Officials say more details may be available after an internal review. This is a developing story and will be updated as federal and local authorities release further information.
