Washington, D.C. — A shooting incident on Wednesday near the White House left two members of the West Virginia National Guard in critical condition. Local law enforcement described the attack as targeted, with the assailant in custody following the confrontation.
At approximately 2:15 p.m., the shooter reportedly emerged from an alley and opened fire on the Guard members while they were on patrol. In a swift response, nearby Guard personnel managed to subdue the assailant, whose identity has not yet been released. After the shooting, all three individuals involved were rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Shortly after the incident, President Trump addressed the nation, labeling the shooting a “monstrous, ambush-style attack.” He emphasized the assailant’s status as a foreign national who had entered the United States from Afghanistan in September 2021. Following the president’s remarks, he connected the shooting to broader concerns about immigration policies implemented during the current administration, stating that individuals who entered the U.S. from Afghanistan under Biden’s leadership would be subject to review.
In a related update, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the suspect had arrived in the U.S. through Operation Allies Welcome, a program designed to assist Afghan refugees after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan. Trump later announced plans to send an additional 500 Guard personnel to Washington, on top of the roughly 2,200 already deployed there as part of an ongoing initiative to combat crime.
During a press conference held in the wake of the shooting, Washington Metropolitan Police Executive Assistant Chief Jeffrey Carroll provided further details about the attack. He noted that the shooter had not only targeted the Guard members but had also been wounded in the exchange of gunfire. Conditions for the injured were initially unclear, with conflicting reports circulating earlier in the day.
As the investigation progresses, FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the bureau would lead the inquiry and indicated that the attack would be prosecuted as an assault on federal law enforcement officers. A clear motive has yet to be established, but D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser reiterated the city’s commitment to pursuing justice to the fullest extent.
The National Guard personnel had been deployed to the capital over the last few months, assisting not only with security but also various community initiatives. As the investigation unfolds and more details emerge, security protocols are likely to remain a top concern for officials and residents alike.