Bloodshed in front of the White House. Two National Guardsmen were seriously injured in a random shooting by an unidentified gunman. The incident took place in Washington on Thursday morning. One person has already been arrested by the Metropolitan Police. The physical condition of the National Guard members is still unknown. After the incident, US President Donald Trump wrote in a tone of warning on Truth Social, "...will pay a very steep price."
Earlier this year, Trump handed over the command of Washington, D.C. to the National Guard to crack down on crime. Their job is to maintain law and order. Since then, members of the National Guard have been patrolling Washington. Also deployed in front of the White House.
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Two National Guard members were patrolling in the downtown area, a few blocks away from the White House. Suddenly, an unidentified gunman opened fire on them. Members of the National Guard also retaliated. A gunfight continued between both parties. The Metropolitan Police said one of the two injured National Guard members was a woman. Pictures of them being taken in an ambulance in a bloody state have surfaced. According to the ABC News report, both are in critical condition. However, nothing has been officially announced.
The U.S. Marshal, ATF and FBI rushed to the scene after the shooting. The Metropolitan Police launched a search. Two helicopters are also conducting aerial surveillance. Shortly after, a suspect was arrested. He was also seriously injured, according to ABC News. There is always tight security in and around the White House premises. Questions have surfaced about how the unidentified gunman carried out the attack.
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Trump is no longer in the White House. He was in Florida to celebrate Thanksgiving. However, he was immediately informed about the whole incident. White House press secretary Carolyn Levitt said, "The president has been briefed on the whole incident. The White House is watching. Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the local administration was monitoring the situation.
"The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price. God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
