William Defoor, 26, accused of hammer attack on VP JD Vance's home. Details on his charges, mental health history, and how Secret Service detained him in Cincinnati.
Mental health history of William Defoor, accused of attacking VP's home with hammer (Image: X)
A 26-year-old Cincinnati man, William Defoor, is in custody after allegedly using a hammer to smash windows at US Vice President JD Vance’s home early Monday. Secret Service agents guarding the empty residence detained Defoor, who now faces multiple state charges including felony vandalism.
William Defoor lives in Cincinnati's Hyde Park area. A history of mental health problems and previous infractions can be found in court records.
In 2023, he was charged with trespassing at a UC Health psychiatric emergency facility. A judge found him not competent to stand trial, and the charge was dismissed. In 2024, he pleaded guilty to vandalizing a Hyde Park business and was sentenced to mental health treatment instead of conviction.
Shortly after midnight on Monday, Defoor allegedly ran up to the Vice President’s home in East Walnut Hills. He used a hammer to smash four windows and also damaged a Secret Service vehicle stationed nearby.
Agents on-site heard the noise, witnessed the act, and physically detained Defoor. When read his rights, he reportedly responded, "I don't know." Vice President Vance and his family were in Washington, D.C., at the time and were unharmed.
Defoor is currently held in Hamilton County Jail on state charges filed by Cincinnati Police:
The U.S. Secret Service, in a statement, confirmed coordination with local police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. They are reviewing the case for potential federal charges.
Defoor’s documented mental health history and prior interactions with the court system are likely to be central to the legal proceedings. His previous cases involved court-ordered mental health treatment as an alternative to conviction.
Vice President Vance, commenting on social media, referred to the incident as involving “a crazy person.” The attack highlights the security challenges of protecting public figures' private residences, even when they are unoccupied.
A: He is accused of using a hammer to smash windows at the Vice President’s Cincinnati home and damaging a Secret Service vehicle.
A: No. Vance and his family had returned to Washington, D.C., the day before.
A: According to court documents, he was sentenced to mental health therapy for a 2024 vandalism charge and declared incapable for trial in a 2023 case.
A: The felony vandalism charge, due to the value of the damage, is the most serious. Other charges are misdemeanors.
A: The Secret Service and U.S. Attorney’s Office are reviewing the case to determine if federal charges are warranted.
