Two National Guard members were shot Wednesday near the White House and are in critical condition, law enforcement members say.
A suspect was also shot and is in custody. The suspect is believed to have not life-threatening injuries, but the two National Guard members are in critical condition, The Associated Press reported.
All three people were transported to the hospital.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey confirmed the injured National Guard members were from his state. Morrisey originally said they both died due to their injuries in the shooting, but walked the comment back and said they were receiving “conflicting reports.”
The shooting occurred at 17th and I Streets, just a few blocks from the White House. President Donald Trump was not there at the time, after traveling Tuesday evening to Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday.
“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,” Trump wrote online. “These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed her department is working with local law enforcement to gather more information about the shooting and suspect.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser called the shooting “targeted” and law enforcement confirmed at least one of the guards exchanged gunfire with the suspect.
The shooting is a rare act of violence against the National Guard, who have been deployed in Washington, D.C., since August. Their presence in the city has been met with anger and protests from residents, even as the president celebrates their efforts to crack down on crime and clean up the city.
Trump was able to send the National Guard to D.C. using its Home Rule Act, something that other states don’t have, which has complicated his plans to send troops to other major cities.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump has asked him to add 500 more National Guard members to Washington after the shooting. There are currently 2,188 members already assigned to the city, the AP reported.
