WASHINGTON, Nov  13, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - A US Secret Service agent reportedly
on duty outside the house of President Joe Biden's granddaughter opened fire
during an attempted break-in of an official vehicle, authorities said Monday.
       
Naomi Biden, a 29-year-old lawyer, was made aware of the incident that
occurred just before midnight Sunday in the upscale Georgetown neighborhood of
Washington, US media reported.
      
 "Secret Service agents encountered possibly three individuals breaking a
window on a parked and unoccupied government vehicle," presidential protection
service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.
      
 "During this encounter, a federal agent discharged a service weapon and it
is believed no one was struck," he said, adding that the suspects fled the
scene and that "there was no threat to any protectees."
       
Naomi Biden is the oldest daughter of Hunter Biden, the president's son who
is facing illegal gun possession charges and is the subject of a Republican-led
congressional investigation over alleged influence-peddling when Joe Biden was
vice president.
       
President Biden is known to be close to his grandchildren, who call him Pop
and often appear with him at official events.
       
Washington has seen a steep rise in carjackings, with more than 860
reported offenses so far this year, according to the capital city's police,
more than double the number during the same period last year.
       
Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar was the victim of a carjacking in the city
last month, when he was robbed by three armed attackers outside his residence.
       
Naomi Biden is named after the president's first daughter, who died as a
baby in a car crash in 1972 that also claimed the life of his first wife.
       
"It has been a joy to watch Naomi grow, discover who she is, and carve out
such an incredible life for herself," the president and First Lady Jill Biden
said ahead of her lavish 2022 wedding, which was held at the White House.
       
The US Secret Service protects the president and vice president and their
families, as well as former presidents and visiting heads of state.
       
"The offenders immediately fled the scene in a red vehicle and a regional
lookout was issued to supporting units," Guglielmi said.