Secret Service Agent Assigned to Jill Biden Accidentally Shoots Himself in Philadelphia

A U.S. Secret Service special agent assigned to former First Lady Jill Biden accidentally shot himself in the leg on Friday morning at Philadelphia International Airport, the agency confirmed. The incident occurred shortly after 8:30 a.m. EST on March 27, 2026, while the agent was traveling in an unmarked SUV near the airport. The agent suffered a non-life-threatening injury and was transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in stable condition. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi confirmed the details in a statement, describing the event as an accidental discharge during a protective assignment. No other individuals were injured, and airport operations were not disrupted.

Biden was at airport but nowhere near the shot Jill Biden was present at Philadelphia International Airport at the time of the incident but was not in the immediate vicinity and did not witness the discharge. The Secret Service statement noted that the protectee's movement was not affected and that she was not present at the time. A witness cited by CBS News Philadelphia said the agent appeared to be attempting to re-enter one of the SUVs when the weapon discharged. Philadelphia Police Department Corporal Jasmine Colón-Reilly confirmed in a separate statement that the agent accidentally discharged his firearm while traveling in the unmarked vehicle near the airport. Emergency medical personnel responded immediately to the scene before the agent was transported to the hospital. The Secret Service said it was grateful to law enforcement and public safety partners who provided medical assistance at the scene.

Agency opens internal review into 'negligent discharge' The Secret Service's Office of Professional Responsibility opened a review into the facts and circumstances of the incident. Guglielmi referred to the event as a "negligent discharge" in statements cited by multiple outlets. The agency did not publicly identify the agent involved. Spokesman Nate Herring noted that the agency was cooperating with local services that provided medical assistance at the scene. The Secret Service confirmed the agent was under observation at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in stable condition following initial treatment at the airport.

Secret Service still guards former presidents' families The United States Secret Service was founded in 1865 as a federal law enforcement agency. Formal protection of the head of state was transferred to the Secret Service in 1901, following an assassination attempt on President William McKinley. Under its mandate, the agency provides security not only to sitting presidents and vice presidents but also to former presidents and their immediate families, as well as visiting foreign dignitaries. Jill Biden served as First Lady of the United States from 2021 to 2025, during the presidency of Joe Biden. As the spouse of a former president, she retains Secret Service protection after leaving the White House. The Philadelphia incident drew attention to the risks agents face even during routine protective assignments. The Philadelphia International Airport confirmed that its operations were unaffected by the incident. The Secret Service did not release a timeline for the completion of the internal review. „On Friday morning, shortly after 8:30 a.m., a United States Secret Service special agent suffered a non-life-threatening injury after an accidental discharge while handling a service weapon at Philadelphia International Airport during a protective assignment” — Anthony Guglielmi via CNN