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Secret Service agents shot and killed a burglar at the home of the Peruvian ambassador to the US in Washington on Wednesday morning, the agency confirmed to The Post. 

A spokesperson said that the unidentified intruder was shot “following a confrontation” at the home in northwest DC, near the Maryland line.

Officials said the ambassador, Oswaldo de Rivero, was home with his wife at the time of the incident.

Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee told reporters that the Secret Service was called to the residence just after 8 a.m. for a “burglary in progress.”

The suspect had “smashed out several windows” in the back of the house and was “holding a metal stake” when he was confronted, Contee said.

The agents initially deployed Tasers, then fired their service weapons when the stun guns had no effect, according to the chief.


  The unidentified intruder was shot “following a confrontation.” WTTG The unidentified intruder was shot “following a confrontation.” WTTG

  The Secret Service also is responsible for securing foreign embassies and diplomatic residences.  WTTG The Secret Service also is responsible for securing foreign embassies and diplomatic residences.  WTTG

  Officials said the ambassador, Oswaldo de Rivero, was home with his wife at the time of the incident. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Officials said the ambassador, Oswaldo de Rivero, was home with his wife at the time of the incident. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

  The agents initially deployed Tasers, then fired their service weapons. WTTG The agents initially deployed Tasers, then fired their service weapons. WTTG

  A look inside the ambassador’s home. WTTG A look inside the ambassador’s home. WTTG

Contee added that he had no information about the suspect other than that he appeared to be in his late 20s or 30s. It was unclear whether the suspect knew the house was the residence of a foreign diplomat.

In a brief statement on Twitter, the Peruvian Embassy confirmed that the burglar “entered the Official Residence without authorization, causing material damage to the property.”

“The Ambassador, his family, the Residential staff, and the secret service [sic] agents are safe, and the fact is being investigated by the competent authorities,” the embassy added.

In addition to protecting presidents, vice presidents, former presidents and their families, the Secret Service is responsible for securing foreign embassies and diplomatic residences. 

Correction: A previous version of this article named Hugo de Zela as the Peruvian ambassador to the US. Oswaldo de Rivero currently holds the position, according to the Embassy of Peru. The article has been updated. 

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