A shooting that occurred Wednesday in downtown Washington, D.C., just steps from the White House, left two members of the U.S. National Guard dead after they were shot. The incident took place at the corner of 17th and I Streets, in front of the Farragut West Metro station entrance, and prompted the immediate closure of the area and the presidential residence.
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West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey reported on social media: “It is with a heavy heart that we report that both members of the West Virginia National Guard, who were shot earlier today, have died from their injuries.” Hours earlier, Morrisey had indicated that there were “conflicting reports” about their condition, but later confirmed their deaths.
The Washington Metropolitan Police Department reported that a suspect was arrested and is in custody. Images of the arrest were released by journalist Sam Stein and widely shared on social media.
President Donald Trump, who was in Florida, addressed the attack on his social media account, Truth Social: “The animal who shot the two National Guardsmen, both critically wounded and now in separate hospitals, is also critically wounded, but, despite everything, will pay a very heavy price.” Later, after the officers’ deaths were confirmed, he reiterated that the assailant “will pay a heavy price.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in a press release that “the White House is aware of and actively monitoring this tragic situation. The President has been briefed.”
The National Guard members were part of the deployment to Washington, ordered by Trump last August, ostensibly to combat crime in the capital. Their presence in the area is part of a security strategy that has generated debate in the political and social spheres.
The shooting prompted the immediate closure of the perimeter around the White House and the disruption of traffic on surrounding streets, as announced by the Washington, D.C., police department on social media. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the attack.
