‘Serious escalation’: Man arrested for vandalizing JD Vance home in Ohio
A man is in custody after allegedly vandalizing the Cincinnati home of Vice President JD Vance early Monday, with some reports erroneously indicating shots were fired.
Vance was not home at the time, and the suspect, 26-year-old William DeFoor, is facing charges of obstructing official business, criminal damaging or endangering, criminal trespass and vandalism.
Photos and video from the scene show windows damaged, with Vance indicating the holes were caused by a hammer.
Vance said Monday: “I appreciate everyone’s well wishes about the attack at our home. As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows. I’m grateful to the secret service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly. We weren’t even home as we had returned already to DC.
“One request to the media: we try to protect our kids as much as possible from the realities of this life of public service. In that light, I am skeptical of the news value of plastering images of our home with holes in the windows.”
BREAKING: SHOTS FIRED AT VICE PRESIDENT J.D. VANCE’S OHIO HOME
Gunfire was reported at the Ohio residence of Vice President J.D. Vance, and according to initial reports, Cincinnati police have arrested one suspect.
Vance was not at home during the incident, and no injuries… pic.twitter.com/8A3ZMPGzur
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 5, 2026
Online journalist Mario Nawfal posted: “An attack, even an attempted one, on a sitting Vice President’s home is a serious escalation in an already supercharged political climate. Whether this was politically motivated or not, it’s a reminder of just how volatile things have become.”
Investigative journalist Laura Loomer noted: “Terrible. How did something like this happen? Nobody should be able to get that close to the Vice President’s home.”
BREAKING: Potential shots fired at Vice President J.D. Vance’s home in Ohio.
Suspect arrested by local police.
Thankfully Vance’s family was not present. pic.twitter.com/yRvOaq3Lxg
— LifeNews.com (@LifeNewsHQ) January 5, 2026
WXIX-TV reports: “U.S. Secret Service called for Cincinnati police at 12:15 a.m. after seeing someone ‘running eastbound,’ a dispatcher told FOX19 NOW.
“According to an arrest report, DeFoor was seen by a U.S. Secret Service agent walking onto Vance’s property and ‘damaging four of the victim’s residential windows and the victim’s vehicle.’
“DeFoor was detained by Secret Service agents shortly after.
“When officers advised the suspect of his rights, he responded, ‘I don’t know,’ the arrest report says.
“‘The U.S. Secret Service is coordinating with the Cincinnati Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office as charging decisions are reviewed,’ a statement from Secret Service says.”
The station reports this is not the first time DeFoor has faced criminal charges.
Court documents indicate he pleaded guilty in April to two counts of vandalism after he caused more than $2,000 worth of damages to a Hyde Park interior design company.
He was sentenced to two-years treatment at a mental-health facility, and also required to pay $5,550 in restitution.
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