White House contractor arrested for attempted murder in love triangle

WASHINGTON — A Suitland, Maryland, contractor who showed up for work at a White House checkpoint was arrested Tuesday, when the Secret Service realized he was wanted for attempted murder in a love triangle.

Martese Edwards, 30, worked as a contractor for the National Security Council, located in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House West Wing, according to ABC News.

According to the U.S. Secret Service, and a Metropolitan Police incident report, just after noon Tuesday, Edwards reported for work at the northwest visitor entrance of the White House complex, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.

When Edwards provided his Maryland driver’s license as identification, the Secret Service said the Criminal Justice Information System database showed he was wanted for attempted murder in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Prince George’s County Police allege Edwards shot his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend in the abdomen, on May 3, in the 4200 block of Suitland Road, in Suitland, Maryland.

The County’s Sheriff’s Department confirmed they had an open warrant for attempted first degree murder and assault, for Edwards, filed and entered into the national crime information database on May 17.

The Secret Service says it was notified of the arrest warrant June 4 — the day before the arrest.

The Secret Service handed Edwards over to D.C. police. He remains in custody and awaits extradition to Prince George’s County.

It’s not clear whether Edwards had entered the White House complex in the period between the May 3 shooting and his arrest.

WTOP’s Nahal Amouzadeh and Jack Pointer contributed to this report. 


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Neal Augenstein

Neal Augenstein has been a reporter at WTOP since 1997. Through the years, Neal has covered many of the crimes and trials that have gripped the region. Neal's been pleased to receive awards over the years for hard news, feature reporting, use of sound and sports.

Megan Cloherty

WTOP Investigative Reporter Megan Cloherty primarily covers breaking news, crime and courts.

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