A 26-year-old man is due to appear in court on Tuesday after being arrested for allegedly trying to break into the Ohio home of US Vice-President JD Vance with a hammer.
The incident took place in the early hours of Monday at Vance's residence in Cincinnati. The Secret Service confirmed that one person was taken into custody after causing property damage, including breaking windows on the exterior of the home.
Vance, who had returned to Washington DC the previous day, thanked law enforcement for their swift response, describing the suspect as a “crazy person” in a post on X. He urged the media not to publish images of the damaged windows, citing a desire to protect his children from the realities of public service.
A law enforcement official identified the suspect as William Defoor, of Crestview Hills, Kentucky. He is set to be arraigned on misdemeanour charges including vandalism, criminal trespass, criminal damaging and obstruction of official business.
Court records show Defoor faced a previous vandalism charge in 2024 and agreed to treatment under the county’s mental health court system. The incident comes amid heightened security concerns for US politicians following recent attacks on lawmakers and their families.
