Soldier shot near White House describes 'long and strenuous' recovery

(NewsNation) — A 25-year-old special forces trainee wounded by Secret Service gunfire outside the White House says he’s undergone two surgeries so far and faces a long rehabilitation period that could impact his future with the Army.

Benjamin Del Real Jr. was shot in the abdomen on May 23 when Secret Service agents exchanged gunfire with an armed man near a security checkpoint. He has retained a lawyer and filed a notice of claim against the Secret Service for his injuries.

Del Real, family were visiting capital during Memorial Day Weekend

Del Real was visiting Washington, D.C. with his father and sister, Sara, over Memorial Day Weekend. The family, from Salina, Kansas, had spent the day on what their attorney called a “patriotic tour” of the capital, including a visit to the National Archives to see the Constitution and Arlington National Cemetery to pay respects to fallen soldiers.

He said they were walking to the White House to take pictures before dinner when the shooting broke out. The three of them dropped to the ground once they realized shots were being fired nearby. Del Real described dragging his father out of harm’s way. Sara called 911 after seeing Del Real bleeding heavily from his right side and stomach. He was taken to George Washington University Hospital, where he had surgery, and remains under medical care.

Del Real’s attorney, Joseph Murphy of Clifford Law Offices, says Del Real suffered life-threatening and life-altering injuries. Part of his colon and small intestine had to be removed, and he says he’s still dealing with the effects. A third surgery is scheduled. Del Real said he also tore his ACL during the incident.

“The road to recovery will be long and strenuous,” Del Real said.

Del Real ‘concerned’ about Army return due to injuries

Del Real, a Private First Class stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, where he was training to become an enlisted member of the Army’s special forces, said in a statement that he’s grateful for the support of the Army and thanked the service for standing by him through his recovery. Del Real has served about a year and a half and said the experience has been “one of the greatest journeys” he’s taken so far in his life.

He said he’s uncertain whether he’ll be able to return.

“I’m without a doubt concerned,” he said.

Sister: Shooting was ‘a nightmare realized’

His sister, Sara, who works for a nonprofit in D.C., described the shooting as “a nightmare realized.”

“The moment I saw Ben bleeding was undoubtedly the scariest moment of my life,” she said.

She said the trip was supposed to be a celebration of their time seeing the country’s capital together.

“We never imagined an ordinary evening would end with my brother fighting for his life and saving our father from the same fate,” she said. “I’m grateful beyond words that Ben survived what could have been the last moments of his life.”

Family seeks accountability, answers from Secret Service

The family is seeking accountability and answers from the Secret Service.

Murphy said a reliable, yet confidential source confirmed that Del Real had been shot by the Secret Service. However, the footage has not been released. He said his firm has asked the Secret Service for more information about the shooting, but has been told the agency can’t share details while an investigation is ongoing. The Secret Service has not admitted any fault in the shooting.

Secret Service Director Sean Curran said after the incident occurred that his thoughts were with Del Real.

“Our officers continue to operate heroically in a heightened political threat environment. We are grateful no officers were injured and appreciate the strong support from our federal and local partners. Our thoughts are also with the innocent bystander who was wounded during this incident. The Secret Service is hopeful he will make a full recovery,” Curran said in a statement posted to X.

The claim, filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act, is a required step before the family can sue the federal government. The government now has six months to respond before the case could move to federal court in D.C.

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