A dramatic incident unfolded early Friday morning when U.S. Marshals shot an 18-year-old man who allegedly attempted to carjack federal bodyguards stationed outside Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s home in Northwest Washington, D.C. The altercation happened around 1:15 AM when Kentrell Flowers approached a Deputy U.S. Marshal in his vehicle, aiming a handgun at him in an effort to steal the car.
The marshal opened fire, and a second marshal in another vehicle also discharged his weapon. Flowers, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, was taken to a hospital and later charged with armed carjacking, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the exchange.
The U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that the officers involved were assigned to Justice Sotomayor’s protective detail. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the security of federal officials and their homes in Washington, D.C.
This is the latest in a series of security breaches involving high-profile officials. In 2022, an individual was apprehended outside Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home for planning an assassination. In November 2023, Secret Service agents protecting President Joe Biden’s granddaughter Naomi opened fire to prevent a break-in on an unmarked SUV. Additionally, Democrat Congressman Enrique ‘Henry’ Cuellar was carjacked outside an apartment complex for lawmakers. Earlier this year, former Trump official Mike Gill was fatally shot during a carjacking spree in D.C.
These repeated incidents underscore the urgent need for strengthened security measures to protect federal officials and their families from escalating threats.