Swiss ambassador assaulted by intruders at DC residence

Swiss Ambassador to the U.S. Jacques Pitteloud was assaulted by intruders at his residence in Washington, D.C.

The suspect in the attack, Christian David Mandeville of Oregon, is facing four federal charges in connection with the assault, including two counts of assault of a foreign official, according to court records.

A Secret Service officer wrote in an affidavit that he was dispatched on Monday afternoon to a report of an “unwanted guest” at the ambassador’s residence. When the officer arrived, Pitteloud told the officer that Mandeville refused to leave the premises.

According to the report, when the officer entered the building, Mandeville attempted to run further into the building. Pitteloud put his hands out to stop Mandeville, but Mandeville pushed him away, knocking him backward.

The officer also said he sustained abrasions on his forearm from an altercation that occurred from Mandeville attempting to fight back during his arrest. The officer was able to pin him with the help of other law enforcement, but he sustained injuries to his forearm from the altercation.

Mandeville was arrested and transported to the Metropolitan Police Department for processing.

Mandeville also had a backpack at the residence, which was declared suspicious and resulted in “temporary closure” of the area around the embassy until it was cleared.

The Swiss Embassy told The Hill in a statement that “there was no imminent threat to the safety of the Ambassador, staff or Embassy. Neither Ambassador Pitteloud nor any Embassy staff were harmed in this incident.”

“The Embassy of Switzerland thanks the U.S. Secret Service and Metropolitan Police Department for their quick response,” it said.