Benjamin Del Real Jr. was walking to dinner with his sister and father near the White House when he says the unthinkable happened — a Secret Service agent's bullet tore through his abdomen, nearly killing him.
The Army private, 25, had traveled from his military posting to visit Sara Del Real in Washington, D.C., for Memorial Day weekend. On May 23, Benjamin Jr., his sister, and their father were exploring the nation's capital together when gunfire erupted near a security checkpoint around 6 p.m.
"I am grateful beyond words that Ben survived what could have been the last moments of his life," Sara Del Real said in a statement. "But our family deserves answers. We are here today asking for accountability. We need to know exactly what happened, and we believe those responsible for shooting my brother should be held accountable."
Background
According to the family's legal filing, Benjamin Jr. was with his sister and father walking toward dinner when "shots rang out." A man identified as Nasire Best, 21, had opened fire near a security checkpoint. Secret Service agents immediately returned fire.
The family dropped to the ground, and Benjamin Jr. — despite being struck in the abdomen — "heroically" dragged his father to safety inside a nearby parking garage, according to Clifford Law Offices, the firm representing the Del Real family.
"When we got back to the parking garage, I lifted up my shirt that I was wearing, and there was a bullet wound with no exit wound that I was bleeding out of," Benjamin Jr. told local NBC affiliate WRC. "And at that moment, I asked Sara to call 911."
The family maintains that Best, who was shot by Secret Service agents and later pronounced dead at an area hospital, never faced Benjamin Jr. during the confrontation — placing him in the line of fire from federal officers returning toward their position.
"Ben was around 20 yards away," said Joseph Murphy, a partner at Clifford Law Offices. "It wasn't as if he was next to the shooter. He wasn't a couple feet away from the shooter. Certainly, the Secret Service should have taken that into consideration and been more precise and been more surgical in their taking down the shooter."
The Investigation
On behalf of Benjamin Jr., Clifford Law Offices filed a claim under the Federal Torts Claims Act, alleging negligence against the Secret Service. The legal mechanism is the required first step before filing a lawsuit against the federal government, giving the agency six months to admit or deny the allegations.
The law firm claims it has reviewed surveillance footage that allegedly shows "in no uncertain terms that the Secret Service shot Ben." Murphy said his team has sent Freedom of Information Act requests and made numerous calls to the Secret Service seeking answers about the incident — with little progress.
"We don't even have a single answer from them yet as to, 'hey, it was our fault,'" Murphy said at a press conference. "All we have is 'we don't know, we'll let you know at some point.' Could be six months from now, could be 10 months from now, could be a year from now, and we think that the Del Reals and the public deserve accountability and answers in this situation."
The Secret Service confirmed in a statement that "a bystander was also struck by gunfire" during the incident. The agency said no officers were injured and that "the President was in the White House during the incident, however no protectees or operations were impacted."
"I've had part of my digestive system removed, and the implications of that are still uncertain at this time," Benjamin Jr. said, noting his medical care is ongoing.
Key Takeaways
- Benjamin Del Real Jr., 25, was struck by gunfire while walking near the White House with his sister and father on May 23, 2026
- A man identified as Nasire Best, 21, allegedly opened fire at a security checkpoint before being shot by Secret Service agents
- The family alleges Benjamin Jr. was hit by a Secret Service bullet, not from the shooter, based on surveillance footage review
- Clifford Law Offices filed a Federal Torts Claims Act claim alleging negligence against the Secret Service
- Benjamin Jr. underwent surgery and had part of his digestive system removed; he says his medical care is ongoing
What's Next
The Del Real family awaits a response from the Secret Service under the Federal Torts Claims Act process, which gives the agency six months to admit or deny the allegations. If denied or unresolved, the family indicated they would proceed with a civil lawsuit against the federal government. Benjamin Jr.'s medical treatment continues as investigators and attorneys work to piece together what happened during those chaotic moments near the White House.