Soldier hit by stray bullet near White House files $25M claim against Secret Service

Published Jul 23, 06:39 PM UTC

Private First Class Benjamin Del Real, Jr., a 25-year-old soldier on vacation in Washington, D.C., was struck by a stray bullet during a shooting incident near the White House on May 23, 2026. He and his family were walking to dinner when a shooter opened fire on a Secret Service security post. Del Real suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and a torn ACL, requiring emergency surgery that removed part of his colon and small intestine. His attorneys have filed a $25 million claim against the Secret Service under the Federal Tort Claims Act, alleging negligence by agents who failed to avoid striking innocent bystanders. A confidential source reportedly indicated the shot came from Secret Service fire. The shooter, Nasire Best, 21, was killed by Secret Service. The U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C. is investigating. Del Real hopes to return to duty.