Incident Overview
On Wednesday, two members of the West Virginia National Guard were critically injured in a shooting incident near the White House. Authorities have apprehended a suspect believed to be responsible for the attack.
The shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m. outside the Farragut West Metro station, located just two blocks from the White House. According to police reports, a lone gunman approached and opened fire on the National Guard troops, who were stationed in Washington as part of President Trump’s initiative to combat crime.
Law enforcement officials quickly responded, returning fire and injuring the suspect. All three individuals involved—the two guardsmen and the gunman—were transported to a nearby hospital, where both guardsmen were reported to be in critical condition.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser described the incident as “a targeted shooting.” Meanwhile, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrissey later clarified that initial reports about the guardsmen’s deaths were incorrect due to conflicting information regarding their conditions. He expressed his support for them and their families on social media.
The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that they have taken the suspect into custody; however, his identity has not yet been disclosed. Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll stated that authorities are still investigating possible motives for this violent act and noted that no additional suspects are being sought.
President Trump, who was in Florida at the time of the incident, condemned the shooter as an “animal” and emphasized that he would face severe consequences for his actions. He also praised the bravery of National Guard members serving in D.C., stating they are heroes committed to protecting their fellow citizens.
In light of this attack, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced plans to deploy an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington D.C. He reaffirmed that such incidents will not deter ongoing efforts to enhance safety within the capital.
The National Guard has been present in Washington since August as part of President Trump’s strategy against crime. Troops from various states have been stationed throughout D.C., contributing to security operations across multiple locations including parks and public transit systems.
