{"id":99045,"date":"2026-07-21T17:32:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T21:32:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/soldier-sues-secret-service-for-25m-after-being-shot-outside-white-house\/"},"modified":"2026-07-21T17:32:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T21:32:17","slug":"soldier-sues-secret-service-for-25m-after-being-shot-outside-white-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/soldier-sues-secret-service-for-25m-after-being-shot-outside-white-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Soldier Sues Secret Service for $25M After Being Shot Outside White House"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

An active-duty soldier who was wounded by a stray bullet during a shooting near the White House has announced plans to take the Secret Service to court over the injuries he suffered.<\/p>

Pfc. Benjamin Del Real Jr., 25, from Salina, Kansas, was visiting Washington, D.C., on May 23 with his sister and father, hoping to take photos outside the White House, when a gunman opened fire. Secret Service agents returned fire and killed the shooter, but a bullet struck Del Real in the stomach, causing severe injuries that required emergency surgery. A portion of his digestive system had to be removed.<\/p>

On Tuesday, Del Real filed notice of a personal injury claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act, seeking $25 million in damages. He and his attorney, Joseph Murphy, held a news conference where Del Real accused the Secret Service of mishandling its response to the incident and failing to protect him and other people who were nearby.<\/p>

His sister, Sara Del Real, described the terrifying moment at the news conference: “I, my father and Benjamin all feared for our lives, and the moment that I saw Ben bleeding was undoubtedly the scariest moment of my life.”<\/p>

The Secret Service has not confirmed whether its agents fired the bullet that hit Del Real. The Metropolitan Police Department stated earlier this summer that ballistics results on the bullet had not yet come back. Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Lee Lepe said Tuesday that the investigation remains ongoing.<\/p>

While federal law enforcement agencies are typically protected from legal liability, certain exceptions exist, including claims involving employee negligence.<\/p>

Secret Service spokesperson Nate Herring said the agency does not comment on pending litigation and directed questions to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, which had not responded to a request for comment as of Tuesday.<\/p>

Del Real and his family had spent the day touring landmarks including the National Archives and Arlington Cemetery before walking past the White House around 6 p.m. on their way to dinner. At that point, Del Real spotted the shooter \u2014 positioned about 20 yards closer to a Secret Service outpost \u2014 draw a weapon and fire several rounds at the agents’ booth. Agents responded with what attorney Murphy described as “a hail of gunfire.”<\/p>

The shooter, 21-year-old Nasire Best, was killed in the exchange.<\/p>

Del Real acted quickly to protect his father, pulling him to the ground and dragging him behind a concrete barrier \u2014 a move Murphy said saved the older man’s life. However, Del Real himself was struck in the stomach, suffering what Murphy called “life-threatening injuries.” He underwent emergency surgery and then a second procedure two days later to remove the bullet. A third surgery is scheduled for next month. Doctors were forced to remove portions of his colon and small intestine.<\/p>

Del Real, who has been in the Army for about a year and a half, said he is “without a doubt, concerned” about whether he will be able to continue his military career.<\/p>

“He’s a young man, he’s 25 years old, and he’s had part of his digestive system taken out,” Murphy said. “It’s not going to get any better from here.”<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An active-duty soldier is taking legal action against the Secret Service after being struck by a stray bullet during a shooting outside the White House in May. Pfc. Benjamin Del Real Jr., 25, suffered life-threatening injuries requiring multiple surgeries after a gunman opened fire near the presidential residence. He is seeking $25 million in damages, claiming agents failed to protect innocent bystanders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":99044,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[831],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-99045","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-us-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784669536820.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-pLv","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":98999,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/army-soldier-suing-secret-service-after-being-shot-near-white-house\/","url_meta":{"origin":99045,"position":0},"title":"Army Soldier Suing Secret Service After Being Shot Near White House","author":"Admin","date":"July 21, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A 25-year-old Army soldier who was wounded during a Secret Service shootout outside the White House in May is preparing to take legal action against the federal agency. Benjamin Del Real, Jr., of Kansas, was struck in the abdomen while walking with family members near the White House on May\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "U.S. News"","block_context":{"text":"U.S. News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/us-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1784665064274.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":80794,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/army-soldier-hurt-in-white-house-shooting-still-recovering-hires-legal-team\/","url_meta":{"origin":99045,"position":1},"title":"Army Soldier Hurt in White House Shooting Still Recovering, Hires Legal Team","author":"Admin","date":"June 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"An active-duty soldier wounded during gunfire near the White House last month remains hospitalized and has hired attorneys. The 25-year-old private first class was caught in crossfire when a gunman opened fire at Secret Service agents.","rel":"","context":"In "U.S. News"","block_context":{"text":"U.S. News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/us-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781296721342.jpg?fit=1000%2C622&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781296721342.jpg?fit=1000%2C622&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781296721342.jpg?fit=1000%2C622&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781296721342.jpg?fit=1000%2C622&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":61134,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/secret-service-agent-shot-by-suspects-gun-in-white-house-dinner-attack\/","url_meta":{"origin":99045,"position":2},"title":"Secret Service Agent Shot by Suspect’s Gun in White House Dinner Attack","author":"Admin","date":"May 3, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Federal prosecutors confirm that a Secret Service agent was struck by pellets from the shotgun of Cole Tomas Allen, who attempted to storm the White House Correspondents' dinner to kill President Trump. The agent survived thanks to a bullet-resistant vest that stopped the buckshot from Allen's weapon.","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777833456343.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777833456343.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777833456343.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777833456343.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":77688,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/infant-palestinian-boy-buried-after-fatal-israeli-military-shooting-near-hebron\/","url_meta":{"origin":99045,"position":3},"title":"Infant Palestinian Boy Buried After Fatal Israeli Military Shooting Near Hebron","author":"Admin","date":"June 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A seven-month-old Palestinian child was laid to rest Saturday following his death in an Israeli military shooting near Hebron. The infant's father disputes military claims that the shooting was accidental, saying soldiers deliberately fired at their family's vehicle.","rel":"","context":"In "World News"","block_context":{"text":"World News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/world-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1780759328680.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1780759328680.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1780759328680.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1780759328680.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1780759328680.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":71193,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/armed-individual-killed-in-white-house-shooting-bystander-also-shot\/","url_meta":{"origin":99045,"position":4},"title":"Armed Individual Killed in White House Shooting, Bystander Also Shot","author":"Admin","date":"May 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"An armed person who opened fire at Secret Service officers near a White House security checkpoint died after officers returned fire Saturday evening. A bystander was also wounded in the incident, though it's unclear whether they were hit by the suspect's gunfire or officers' response.","rel":"","context":"In "U.S. News"","block_context":{"text":"U.S. News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/us-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1779583040395.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1779583040395.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1779583040395.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1779583040395.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":61703,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/shooting-by-police-near-washington-monument-prompts-white-house-lockdown\/","url_meta":{"origin":99045,"position":5},"title":"Shooting by Police Near Washington Monument Prompts White House Lockdown","author":"Admin","date":"May 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Federal law enforcement shot an individual Monday afternoon in the vicinity of the Washington Monument, according to the Secret Service. The incident triggered a temporary lockdown of the White House while President Trump was hosting an event inside.","rel":"","context":"In "U.S. News"","block_context":{"text":"U.S. News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/us-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777930792095.jpg?fit=1000%2C660&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777930792095.jpg?fit=1000%2C660&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777930792095.jpg?fit=1000%2C660&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777930792095.jpg?fit=1000%2C660&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99045","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99045"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99045\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99044"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99045"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99045"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99045"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}