2 National Guard members shot near White House, suspect in custody

(NEXSTAR) — Two National Guard service members are alive and in critical condition after being shot near the White House, federal and D.C. city officials said in a Wednesday press conference.

National Guard soldiers were on "high visibility" patrol near 17th and I Streets NW, a few blocks from the White House, when a suspect approached and opened fire around 2:15 p.m., Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll said.

Other members of the National Guard were able to "subdue" the suspect and bring him into custody, Carroll said.

Both the two victims and the suspect were taken to a local hospital to be treated for their injuries. The suspect's wounds were not expected to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially said Wednesday afternoon that the service members, both from his state, had died. He later said his office was "now receiving conflicting reports about the condition" of the soldiers.

President Donald Trump, who was at his West Palm Beach golf course when the shooting occurred, said that the National Guard members had been "severely wounded" and that the suspect "is also severely wounded."

In a post to Truth Social, he added that the suspect "will pay a very steep price."

The Trump administration quickly ordered 500 more National Guard members to Washington following the shooting. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Donald Trump asked him to send the extra soldiers.

There are currently 2,188 troops assigned to the joint task force operating in the city, according to the government’s latest update.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the service members were "brazenly attacked in a horrendous act of violence."

Authorities respond to the scene of a shooting in downtown Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26, 2025. Two National Guard soldiers were shot, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and a suspect has been taken into custody. (Via the Associated Press)

Authorities respond to the scene of a shooting in downtown Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26, 2025. Two National Guard soldiers were shot, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and a suspect has been taken into custody. (Via the Associated Press)

Authorities respond to the scene of a shooting in downtown Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26, 2025. Two National Guard soldiers were shot, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and a suspect has been taken into custody. (Via the Associated Press)

Authorities respond to the scene of a shooting in downtown Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26, 2025. Two National Guard soldiers were shot, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and a suspect has been taken into custody. (Via the Associated Press)

Two National Guard soldiers were injured in a shooting near the White House on Nov. 26, 2025. The above satellite image shows the scene of the shooting in relation to the White House, the Washington Monument, and Capitol Hill. (Via the Associated Press)

Investigators were still trying to determine the gunman's motive, including whether the suspect was targeting the troops for any specific reason, the official said.

"This is a targeted shooting," D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said.

The presence of the National Guard in the nation’s capital has been a flashpoint issue for months, fueling a court fight and a broader public policy debate about the Trump administration’s use of the military to combat what officials cast as an out-of-control crime problem.

More than 300 West Virginia National Guard members were deployed to Washington in August. Last week, about 160 of them volunteered to extend their deployment until the end of the year while the others returned to West Virginia just over a week ago.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.