Two National Guard Members Shot Near White House, in Critical Condition
Two National Guard members were shot Wednesday near the White House and remain in critical condition, according to law enforcement officials. A suspect, who was also shot during the incident, is in custody with non-life-threatening injuries.
The shooting occurred just blocks from the White House, in the vicinity of a metro station near Lafayette Park, which serves as the entrance area to the presidential residence. Emergency medical responders transported all three victims to a hospital, according to Vito Maggiolo, public information officer for DC Fire and Emergency Services.
A law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly, confirmed to The Associated Press that the two military personnel were in uniform when they were wounded. Multiple sources indicated that CPR was performed on the guardsmen at the scene.
National Guard Presence in DC
The incident comes amid an increased military presence in the nation’s capital. Hundreds of National Guard members from the District of Columbia and several states have been patrolling Washington after President Donald Trump issued a federal emergency order in August. That order federalized the local police force and deployed Guard troops from eight states and D.C.
What prompted this heightened security posture? The presidential directive came amid ongoing tensions in the capital, though the exact reasoning behind the August order remains a subject of debate among political observers.
The White House quickly acknowledged the shooting. “The White House is aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation. The President has been briefed,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. At the time of the incident, President Trump was reportedly at his golf course.
Massive Law Enforcement Response
The scene near the White House transformed into a hub of emergency activity within minutes. Police tape cordoned off the area as emergency vehicles’ lights flashed and helicopter blades thudded overhead. Agents from the U.S. Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives quickly descended on the location.
National Guard troops remained on sentry duty nearby, even as their colleagues were being rushed to emergency care. In a dramatic moment, at least one helicopter landed directly on the National Mall, presumably to assist with the emergency response.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser was promptly briefed on the situation, though her office has not yet released a formal statement.
This shooting marks one of the most serious security incidents near the White House in recent years. The condition of the wounded National Guard members remains the primary concern as federal investigators begin the process of determining what happened and why.
The identity of the suspect and potential motives remain unclear at this time as authorities continue their investigation.
