Full Breakdown
Army Private’s Family Files Federal Claim After White-House Shooting
7/25/2026, 5:09:52 AM
Shooting Incident Near the White House
During Memorial Day weekend, Army private Benjamin Del Real Jr., on leave, was walking with his sister Sara Del Real and their father near a White House security checkpoint when a 21-year-old gunman opened fire. The family was approximately 20 yards from the shooter, who stood between them and Secret Service agents. The suspect fired several rounds before Secret Service officers returned fire, striking the gunman, who later died at a hospital. The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m. EDT in the area of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
Legal Action Under the Federal Torts Claims Act
Clifford Law Offices filed a claim on the family’s behalf under the Federal Torts Claims Act, the required first step for suing the federal government. The claim alleges negligence by the Secret Service and gives the agency six months to admit or deny the allegations. Sara Del Real expressed the family’s desire for answers and accountability.
Ongoing Investigation and Agency Responses
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) confirmed that ballistics on the bullet that struck Del Real have not yet been returned, and MPD spokesman Lee Lepe said the investigation remains ongoing. A Secret Service spokesperson, Nate Herring, declined to comment on the pending litigation and referred inquiries to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, which did not immediately respond.
Family’s Call for Accountability
The Del Real family, who had spent the day touring the National Archives, Arlington Cemetery, and other landmarks, now seeks clarity on whether Secret Service agents fired the bullet that injured Benjamin. Sara Del Real emphasized the need for transparency, while the family worries about the impact on Benjamin’s military career.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am grateful beyond words that Ben survived what could have been the last moments of his life,” — Sara Del Real
- “He’s a young man, he’s 25 years old, and he’s had part of his digestive system taken out,” — Murphy
