Two U.S. National Guard soldiers were seriously injured in a shooting near the White House in Washington, D.C., Wednesday night, apparently after a gun battle with a suspect who opened fire on them near a subway station.
The governor of West Virginia, who said the injured soldiers were from his state's National Guard, reported that, according to information he had received, the two died from their wounds, but later qualified the matter, saying that there were "conflicting reports." There is currently no official confirmation that they have died, and the head of the FBI said their condition is still classified as serious
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the White House was placed on lockdown following the incident.
A suspect who was in custody was also shot and has injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press. Shortly after the incident, Trump announced that the shooter was also seriously injured, and promised that he would "pay a very steep price."
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A police officer stands guard near the scene of a shooting in Washington, Wednesday, where two National Guard members were injured. The incident occurred one block from the White House and prompted a security lockdown
(Photo: REUTERS/Nathan Howard)
Emergency medical responders transported all three victims to a hospital, according to Vito Maggiolo, the public information officer for the DC Fire and Emergency Services.
President Isaac Herzog expressed his condolences following the deadly attack. "With deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences, we in Israel are following the tragic news from Washington DC, where two National Guard soldiers have been murdered in a terrible attack near the White House. Our deepest sympathies go to their families and loved ones," he wrote on X.
"From Israel, we send a message of friendship and solidarity to @POTUS, @realDonaldTrump, and all those serving in and around the White House. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our greatest friend and ally, the United States of America."
Police tape cordoned off the scene where emergency fire and police vehicles' lights flashed and helicopter blades thudded overhead. Agents from the U.S. Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on scene, as National Guard troops stood sentry nearby. At least one helicopter landed on the National Mall.
The Joint DC Task Force confirmed they responded to the incident after reports of the shooting. The Metropolitan Police Department said they were responding to a shooting, but didn't immediately provide more information.
A spokesperson for Mayor Muriel Bowser said that local leaders were actively monitoring the situation. Bowser had spent the morning at a Thanksgiving Day event at the Convention Center and then held a press conference to explain why she was not seeking reelection.
President Donald Trump was not in Washington at the time; he is currently at his West Palm Beach golf course in Florida ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
"The White House is aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation. The president has been briefed," Leavitt said.
Trump later posted about the incident on his social media account Truth Social, in which he portrayed the shooting as a deliberate act against the Guard soldiers: "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!"
Hundreds of National Guard members from the district and several states have been patrolling the nation's capital after President Donald Trump in August issued an emergency order in the capital, federalizing the local police force and sending in the guard from eight states and the District of Columbia.
First published: 22:05, 11.26.25