Two National Guard Members Critically Wounded in “Targeted” Shooting Near White House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two members of the West Virginia National Guard are fighting for their lives after being shot in a brazen, targeted attack just two blocks from the White House on Wednesday afternoon, sending shockwaves through the nation’s capital on the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The incident, which prompted a temporary lockdown of the White House and a ground stop at Reagan National Airport, is being investigated by the FBI as a deliberate act of violence. The suspected gunman, identified by multiple law enforcement sources as an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021, was shot and subdued at the scene by other Guardsmen.

A Brazen Attack in Broad Daylight

According to officials, the attack unfolded around 2:15 p.m. EST near the busy Farragut Square Metro Station, at the intersection of 17th and I Streets NW—a area typically crowded with office workers during the lunch hour.

The soldiers were on a high-visibility patrol, part of a larger National Guard deployment to the city, when the suspect, described as a “lone actor,” approached.

“He came around the corner and immediately started firing a firearm,” said Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll.

The swift actions of fellow National Guard members who heard the gunfire likely prevented further tragedy. “They actually were able to intervene and to kind of hold down the suspect, after he had been shot, on the ground until law enforcement got there within moments,” Carroll added. Law enforcement sources told CBS News the suspect was shot four times.

National Leaders Respond, Motive Unclear

President Donald Trump, who was at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida at the time, took to Truth Social to condemn the attack. “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,” he wrote. “God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement.”

FBI Director Kash Patel, whose agency is leading the investigation, called it a “horrendous act of violence.” The motive for the shooting remains unknown, and investigators are working to determine the assailant’s intentions and whether he acted alone.

The attack caused immediate chaos and confusion. Initial reports from West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey incorrectly stated that both Guardsmen had succumbed to their injuries, a claim he later retracted, citing “conflicting reports.” Their condition remains critical.

Scene of Panic and Expanded Security

Witnesses described a scene of sudden panic. One man told the BBC he heard two gunshots, followed by three more. “People ran in panic, some trying to take shelter in a liquor store,” he said. Footage from the scene showed the two soldiers in uniform lying on the pavement being treated by emergency medics, with a third person, believed to be the suspect, also receiving treatment nearby.

In response to the attack, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the president had ordered an additional 500 National Guard members to Washington, D.C. “This will only stiffen our resolve to ensure that we make Washington DC safe and beautiful,” Hegseth stated.

Background: The National Guard Deployment

The nearly 2,200 National Guard troops currently stationed in Washington, D.C., are part of a controversial initiative launched by the Trump administration in August to combat what the president called “out of control” crime in Democratic-led cities. The force includes contingents from several states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, and West Virginia.

As a reservist force, the National Guard has a limited role; they can serve as military troops but lack the power to enforce laws or make arrests. Their presence is intended as a deterrent and to support local police.

While overall crime statistics in the district have fallen since the deployment—with police figures showing homicides down from 107 in the same period last year to 62 this year—it is unclear how much of the decline is directly attributable to the troops. The deployments to cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Memphis have faced legal challenges from opponents who accuse the White House of federal overreach, turning public safety into a heated political battle.

The investigation continues as the city and the nation await updates on the condition of the two wounded service members.

 

 

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