Both National Guard members are in critical condition in a local hospital, FBI Director Kash Patel said.
WASHINGTON — Two West Virginia National Guard members shot Wednesday near the White House are in critical condition in a local hospital, FBI Director Kash Patel said.
The shooting appeared to be targeted at the Guard members, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said. It happened at the corner of 17th and H Streets in the northwest quadrant of the city, roughly two blocks northwest of the White House, at around 2:15 p.m.
The shooter was detained by other National Guard members who intervened after the suspect started shooting.
The suspect is being treated at a local hospital. One National Guard member was shot in the head, according to a person familiar with the details of the incident who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially said the guard members had died in a social media post but later backtracked on their condition.
President Donald Trump, who is in Florida celebrating Thanksgiving, warned in a statement on social media that the “animal” who shot the guardsmen “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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!”
The Trump administration ordered 500 more National Guard members to Washington following the shooting, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday.
Hegseth said President Donald Trump asked him to send the Guard members.
There are currently 2,188 troops assigned to the joint task force operating in the city, according to the government’s latest update.
Emergency medical responders transported all three victims to a hospital, according to Vito Maggiolo, the public information officer for the DC Fire and Emergency Services. The Joint DC Task Force confirmed they responded to the incident after reports of the shooting. The Metropolitan Police Department also said they were on-scene.
Police tape cordoned off the scene where emergency fire and police vehicles’ lights flashed and helicopter blades thudded overhead. Agents from the U.S. Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on scene, as National Guard troops stood sentry nearby. At least one helicopter landed on the National Mall.
An eyewitness told WUSA that he heard two shots, followed around 30 seconds later by three more as people began running away from the shooting. Another witness said a group of children were near the scene when the shooting broke out.
Reagan National Airport briefly issued a ground stop due to the incident. Flights have since resumed and the airport is operating normally.
The National Guard released a statement shortly after the shooting.
“We’re aware of the incident and we are working closely with the Metro PD and other law enforcement agencies,” the National Guard said. “The health and safety of our service members is our top priority as we continue to support citizens and visitors of Washington D.C.”
A spokesperson for Mayor Muriel Bowser said that local leaders were actively monitoring the situation. Bowser had spent the morning at a Thanksgiving event at the Convention Center and then held a press conference to explain why she was not seeking reelection.
Kristi Noem, Department of Homeland Security Secretary, said the department is working with local law enforcement to gather more information.
“Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington D.C.,” Noem said on X.
Trump issued an emergency order in August that federalized the local police force and sent in National Guard troops from eight states and the District of Columbia. The order expired a month later but the troops remained.
The soldiers have patrolled neighborhoods, train stations and other locations, participated in highway checkpoints and also have been assigned to trash pickup and to guard sports events.
Last week, a federal judge ordered an end to the deployment but also put her order on hold for 21 days to allow the Trump administration time to either remove the troops or appeal the decision.
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