A bodyguard assigned to protect Jill Biden, the former First Lady of the US, has shot himself in the leg at an airport.
The US Secrete Service special agent injured himself just after 8.30am EST (12.30pm GMT) at Philadelphia International Airport.
The agency – which provides protection to US political leaders and their families – released a statement confirming the incident, but did not mention Dr Biden within it.
A Secret Service spokesman said: “On Friday morning just after 8.30 an on-duty US Secret Service Special Agent suffered a non-life-threatening injury following a negligent discharge while handling a service weapon at the Philadelphia International Airport during a protective assignment.
“There was no impact to the protectee’s movement and they were not present at the time of the incident.”
An eyewitness told CBS News it appeared the firearm went off when the Secret Service agent was attempting to get back into the SUV.
Philadelphia Police Department Cpl. Jasmine Colon-Reilly said the agent “accidentally discharged his firearm” while travelling in an unmarked SUV.
The agent was transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Centre after emergency services arrived to the scene, she added.
Jill Biden’s bodyguard shot himself in the leg while entering an SUV, according to one eyewitness
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The Secret Service said: “The Secret Service’s Office of Professional Responsibility will be reviewing the facts and circumstances of this incident.”
No other individuals were injured in the incident, the Secret Service said.
Dr Biden appeared Wednesday at the opening night of off-Broadway play Public Charge.
Written by her former chief of staff, Julissa Reynoso, the autobiographical play details her experience working to release American aid worker Alan Gross from Cuban prison.
LATEST ON THE FIRST FAMILIES:
Aerial view of Philadelphia International Airport, where Dr Biden’s bodyguard shot himself
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Dr Biden made history when she became the first First Lady to continue full-time employment while in the role.
She taught English to university students at Northern Virginia Community College, both as Second Lady when her husband, Joe Biden, was the Vice President, and during his presidency.
She was also the oldest First Lady to enter the role.
After her husband withdrew from re-election and the defeat of Kamala Harris to Donald Trump, she was alleged to be increasingly involved in the then-President’s decision-making process.
Jill Biden was accused of being involved in her husband’s decision-making process during the end of his presidency
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Alexandra Pelosi, journalist and daughter of Nancy Pelosi, compared her to Lady Macbeth, something the former First Lady considered “very hurtful”.
She is set to release a book titled View from the East Wing: A Memoir, set to be published in June this year.
In it, she will fully discuss her feelings around the end of her husband’s reelection campaign.
Mr Biden announced his diagnosis of prostate cancer after he left the White House.
On October 20, he completed a course of radiation therapy in Pennsylvania. It is unclear if he needs further treatment.
