Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot just a few blocks from the White House on Wednesday, sending shockwaves across the country. The suspect, reportedly an Afghan migrant, has been taken into custody.
Both soldiers are in critical condition in the hospital, Federal Bureau of Investigation Chief Kash Patel and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said during a press briefing after that.
US President Donald Trump was not in Washington at the time. He was in Florida ahead of Thanksgiving.
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What happened?
The shooting took place near a metro station close to the White House, causing panic among the common people nearby. Police said the attacker “came around the corner” and suddenly opened fire on the troops. Authorities confirmed that the suspect, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021, was also injured in the exchange, but his injuries are not life-threatening.
The soldiers were stationed near 17th and I streets when the attack occurred around 2:15 pm (local time). Other National Guard members managed to overpower the gunman after shots were fired.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser called it a “targeted shooting”. Carroll added that it appears to be the work of a lone gunman, and there are no additional suspects at the moment. Police cordoned off the area with yellow tape, and both the White House and the Treasury Department were briefly placed on lockdown. Officials said DC Police and federal agencies will jointly investigate the incident.
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President Donald Trump reacted strongly, warning that the suspect will face severe consequences. “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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the troops had died, but later withdrew the statement, saying there were “receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members”.
He also added, “Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community.”
Following the attack, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth announced that President Donald Trump has ordered 500 more National Guard troops to be deployed to Washington, DC. He said, “If criminals want to conduct things like this — violence against America's best — we will NEVER back down.”
