A U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to protect former first lady Jill Biden accidentally shot himself in the leg at Philadelphia International Airport on Friday, authorities said.
Biden was not in the area when the agent was injured during a “negligent discharge” of his firearm Friday morning, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told The Associated Press.
According to initial reports, the agent was traveling in an unmarked car when he accidentally discharged his gun shortly before 9 a.m., said Philadelphia Police Officer Tanya Little.
Other law enforcement officers came to assist the inured agent, who was taken to a local hospital. He is being treated for his injuries and was in stable condition, Guglielmi said. Another Secret Service spokesman, Nate Herring, said that the agent suffered a non-life-threatening injury.
"There was no impact to the protectee’s movement and they were not present at the time of the incident. There were no reported injuries to any other individuals and the special agent is being evaluated at an area hospital in stable condition," Herring said.
The Secret Service's Office of Professional Responsibility will review the incident, Herring added.
Airport operations were not affected, said Heather Redfern, public affairs manager for the city’s Department of Aviation.
The Office of President Joe Biden declined to comment.
A 1965 law authorized the Secret Service to protect a former president and his or her spouse during their lifetime, unless they decline protection, according to the agency.
