Two members of the National Guard were shot near the White House in Washington DC.
Authorities have confirmed that a suspect has been apprehended and the area has been secured.
The White House was temporarily locked down after the incident, which occurred just a few blocks from the landmark. At the time, both President Donald Trump and Vice President J D Vance were not present.
Following the incident, Mr. Trump addressed the situation on his Truth Social platform, stating that the two National Guard members were “critically wounded.” He referred to the shooter as an “animal” and mentioned that the suspect “is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price.”
Here is what we know about the situation so far…
The FBI has reported that the two National Guard members injured in the attack are in critical condition, although they have not yet been formally identified by the authorities.
Initial information suggested that both members had been killed, with the governor of West Virginia issuing a statement honoring them and mistakenly claiming they had died.
Patrick Morrisey stated: “These brave West Virginians lost their lives in the service of their country.”
He later retracted his statement, citing ‘conflicting sources’ which confirmed that the victims were still alive but critically injured in the hospital.
According to NBC News, both guardsmen were shot in the head, as reported by an official and a senior source directly informed about the investigation.
The shooting occurred at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET at the entrance of the Farragut West Metro station, near the busy intersection of 17th and I St NW in Washington, D.C.
The location is about 2-3 blocks from the White House, which was placed under lockdown as a precautionary measure.
Limited information about the suspect has been made available to the public, but it is known that the individual was ‘seriously wounded’ before being taken into custody.
Eyewitnesses reported that the suspect used a handgun in the attack and has been preliminarily identified by law enforcement as an Afghan national.
Officials are working to verify the suspect’s details, as they were not carrying identification when arrested.
An official motive for the attack has yet to be disclosed, with authorities investigating various possibilities, including a potential act of terrorism.
President Trump, currently away from the White House in Palm Springs for the Thanksgiving Holidays, made a statement on Truth Social, expressing: “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!”