Stray bullet required removal of part of soldier’s digestive system
Pfc. Benjamin Del Real Jr., 25, an active-duty U.S. Army soldier, was on a family trip to the nation’s capital on May 23 when he was caught in gunfire near the White House. Del Real had been hoping to take photographs with his father and sister outside the White House when a gunman approached a Secret Service checkpoint and began firing, the agency said.
Secret Service officers returned fire, killing the suspect. During the exchange, a stray bullet struck Del Real in the stomach. He suffered life-threatening injuries that required emergency surgery, and part of his digestive system had to be removed, his lawyer said.
On Tuesday, Del Real and his attorney, Joseph Murphy, announced at a news conference that they had filed notice of a personal injury claim against the Secret Service under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Del Real said he intends to sue for $25 million, accusing the agency of botching its response to the shooting and failing to adequately protect him and other bystanders.
“I, my father and Benjamin all feared for our lives, and the moment that I saw Ben bleeding was undoubtedly the scariest moment of my life,” said his sister, Sara Del Real.