Incident took place during a public event near Europe Day activities in Washington, D.C.

An armed U.S. citizen fleeing police entered the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C. on Friday before being detained by local authorities, Mexico’s ambassador to the United States, Esteban Moctezuma, confirmed.

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According to the diplomat, the suspect managed to enter the building because the institute was open to the public at the time. Staff members immediately coordinated with Washington law enforcement authorities, who arrested the man without reports of injuries.

“Today, an alleged armed criminal, a U.S. citizen fleeing from the police, entered the Institute. Staff acted immediately and the competent authorities proceeded with his arrest,” Moctezuma said in a message addressed to workers and families connected to the institution.

The ambassador also recognized “the calmness and efficiency” shown by staff during the incident.

The event occurred in one of Washington’s main diplomatic and cultural districts and coincided with an open-house event organized by the Spanish Cultural Center in the adjacent building. The activity formed part of Europe Day commemorations and broader European Union cultural initiatives taking place on Friday.

Dozens of visitors were attending the public events when police deployed to the area.

Authorities later confirmed that the situation was contained without major consequences and that no visitors or staff members from either cultural institution were harmed.

Moctezuma highlighted the coordination between institute personnel and Washington security forces. He also shared video footage showing the suspect handcuffed and escorted from the building by police officers.

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