Security Guards Open Fire on 27-Year-Old Woman Who Drove Erratically Toward CIA Headquarters in Virginia, Ignoring Orders to Stop

Langley, VA — May 22, 2025

A dramatic and deeply concerning incident unfolded at the gates of the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, Virginia, on Wednesday when a 27-year-old woman was shot by security personnel after she drove erratically toward the secure complex and failed to comply with repeated commands to stop, according to individuals briefed on the situation.

The woman, whose identity has not yet been publicly released, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition following the shooting. Officials say the incident began just before noon when the suspect approached the CIA’s main entrance in a late-model sedan and attempted to breach the security barriers, accelerating toward the checkpoint in a reckless manner.

According to multiple sources familiar with the investigation, the woman bypassed a vehicle queue, drove onto a curb, and continued past initial signage warning unauthorized personnel to stop. Security officers from the CIA’s protective service, who are trained to respond to potential threats with measured but firm action, immediately issued verbal commands instructing the woman to stop and exit the vehicle. When she failed to comply and instead advanced toward the main gate of the classified installation, officers fired multiple shots.

CIA personnel and federal law enforcement officials said the incident triggered a brief lockdown of the entrance to the CIA campus, a sprawling and heavily guarded facility located approximately 10 miles from downtown Washington, D.C. While the headquarters itself was not breached, the breach attempt raised alarms and prompted a rapid multi-agency response.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents, who often lead investigations involving use-of-force incidents on federal property, were quickly dispatched to the scene. The FBI’s Washington Field Office confirmed in a statement that it is actively investigating the matter and emphasized that there is no indication of a broader threat to public safety.

“The FBI is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the use of force incident involving a civilian outside the CIA compound,” the agency said. “Our agents are working closely with CIA security officials and other law enforcement partners to determine the motive and background of the individual involved.”

Authorities have not confirmed whether the woman was armed, whether she made any statements before or during the incident, or whether she had any known ties to the intelligence community. However, early indications suggest she may have had mental health challenges or been experiencing a psychological episode at the time of the incident. Investigators are looking into her recent behavior, her vehicle registration, and any previous interactions she may have had with law enforcement.

Witnesses near the Langley area reported hearing several loud gunshots and seeing a heavy police presence in the moments following the incident. “I saw a line of black SUVs race toward the entrance,” said one resident who lives near the George Washington Parkway, which runs adjacent to the CIA complex. “It was clear something serious was happening.”

The CIA’s campus is one of the most secure federal compounds in the country, protected by a specialized security division as well as external support from federal and local law enforcement. Security incidents near the CIA’s perimeter are rare but not unprecedented. In 2021, a man was shot and killed after engaging with CIA security at the same entrance; that case was later attributed to mental health issues and drew scrutiny over protocols for handling non-traditional security threats.

Legal analysts note that the use of deadly force in such cases is governed by strict federal guidelines, particularly when the perceived threat involves a possible intrusion into a national security facility. “Security officers have a narrow but clear mandate to prevent any unauthorized access to critical infrastructure,” said Laura Weissman, a former Department of Justice attorney. “If someone breaches warnings and barriers and continues to advance toward such a sensitive site, officers may lawfully respond with force if they believe there is an imminent threat.”

The woman remains hospitalized, and her condition has not been updated. Authorities are expected to release additional details in the coming days, including whether criminal charges will be filed should she survive her injuries.

The CIA has declined to comment directly on the incident but stated through a spokesperson: “The safety and security of our personnel and facilities is of paramount importance. We are cooperating fully with federal investigators as they conduct their review of this matter.”

The incident has once again raised questions about the challenges security personnel face in dealing with erratic or mentally unstable individuals, especially at high-profile federal sites. It also underscores the ongoing security tensions in an era of heightened concern about lone actors and domestic threats.

As of Thursday morning, the CIA complex had resumed normal operations, with increased security visible at the entrance gates. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior near government facilities. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.