Topline
Two National Guard members were shot in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, according to multiple outlets, leaving one suspect injured and the troops in critical condition.
At least one National Guard soldier was shot in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.
Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP
Key Facts
The two soldiers, who were part of West Virginia’s National Guard force, sustained critical wounds before they were transported to local hospitals, President Donald Trump said, calling the shooting suspect an “animal.”
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey seemingly confirmed the deaths of the two troops in a social media post at 3:42 p.m., but said in a follow-up post his team was “receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members.”
AP reported a suspect in custody was also shot and has injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
The Metropolitan Police Department reported a shooting Wednesday afternoon at 17th and I streets NW, just blocks from the White House.
Federal officials characterized the shooting as a targeted attack during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters Trump asked him to deploy an additional 500 National Guard members to D.C. in the wake of the shooting.
The National Guard’s presence in D.C. is part of a larger anti-crime federal task force ordered by Trump in August.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.