In a shocking act of violence that rocked the nation's capital on Wednesday afternoon, two soldiers from the West Virginia National Guard were shot and critically wounded just two blocks from the White House. The suspect, described by officials as a "lone gunman," has been apprehended following an exchange of gunfire.
The shooting unfolded at approximately 2:15 pm (local time) near the intersection of 17th and I streets NW, close to a metro station. The area, a high-security zone often busy with people, was immediately thrown into chaos and subsequently cordoned off with yellow tape, triggering a lockdown at both the White House and the Treasury Department.
An Ambush in the Capital
During a press conference, DC police chief Jeffrey Carroll detailed the attack, stating the suspect "came around the corner" and immediately opened fire on the troops, who were performing "high visibility patrols." Mayor Muriel Bowser later characterized the incident as a "targeted shooting," suggesting the guardsmen were specifically ambushed.
After the initial assault, other National Guard members quickly moved to subdue and capture the suspect following an exchange of gunfire. Both of the wounded soldiers were rushed to separate hospitals and remain in critical condition, according to officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel and Mayor Bowser.
Official Response and Investigation
The swift response by law enforcement, including DC Police and federal agencies, secured the scene. Officials have confirmed that the lone shooter is also wounded and in custody, though no motive for the violent attack has been established yet.
The incident drew immediate and strong condemnation from high-ranking officials:
- President Donald Trump, who was in Florida ahead of Thanksgiving, addressed the attack in a post on Truth Social, calling the shooter an "animal" who "will pay a very steep price."
- West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey caused brief confusion after mistakenly posting that the troops had died, only to quickly retract his statement, citing "conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members."
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that President Trump has directed the deployment of 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington D.C., stating: "If criminals want to conduct things like this — violence against America's best — we will NEVER back down."
The investigation is being conducted jointly by DC Police and federal law enforcement, treating the shooting as a matter of national security given its location and the status of the victims.
