Two West Virginia National Guardsmen are in critical condition after a shooting near the White House, prompting an increased federal response and an investigation by multiple agencies.



Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot Wednesday afternoon near the entrance to the Farragut West Metro Station, just a few blocks from the White House in downtown Washington, D.C.

The two guardsmen have all been hospitalized in critical condition. Per the Associated Press, the suspect was taken into custody and had no life-threatening wounds, according to a law enforcement official. All three individuals have not yet been identified at the present time.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morresey initially announced that both Guardsmen were killed in the shooting, but later clarified there were “conflicting reports” about their condition.

“Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community,” the governor wrote.

President Trump, who is currently in Florida, denounced the suspect in a post on Truth Social.

"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. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!" Trump wrote.

According to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Trump requested the deployment of 500 more National Guard troops to be deployed to Washington, DC, and he will make the request to the Secretary of the Army, Dan Driscoll, following the shooting.

“This will only stiffen our resolve to ensure that we make Washington, D.C., safe and beautiful,” he told reporters.

During a news conference following the shooting, FBI director Kash Patel said the incident will be treated as “be treated at the federal level as an assault on a federal law enforcement officer,” CNN reported.

“The FBI will lead out on that mission with our interagency partners, to include the Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service, ATF, DEA, and we’re thankful for the mayor’s assistance in this matter,” he said, referring to DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, who stood alongside Patel at the news conference.

Meanwhile, Jeff Carroll, executive assistant chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, noted that there are no additional suspects other than the one in custody.

“So, no at this time, there is no indication there was any other suspect. The one suspect that was involved in this incident, they were shot during the interaction, and they were transported to the hospital for treatment.”

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