Two members of the National Guard were shot this Wednesday near the White House in Washington, DC, leading to tight security in the area. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said that both had died from their injuries, but later wrote on social media that he had received “contradictory information” about the condition of the guards.
“We are now receiving conflicting information about the condition of our two Guard personnel and will provide additional updates as we have more complete information.”wrote Morrisey in the X. “Our prayers are with these brave soldiers, their families and the entire Guarda community.”
The two soldiers are in critical condition, said FBI Director Kash Patel.
The shooting occurred at the intersection of 17th Street and H Street NW, sending three gunshot victims to the hospital, according to D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services spokesman Vito Maggiolo. Initially, one of the soldiers was in critical condition. Washington police reported that a suspect was detained in the afternoon.
Donald Trump also commented on the case on social media, referring to the suspect as “the animal that shot the two members of the National Guard”, adding that he was “severely injured” and “will pay a very high price”. “God bless our great National Guard and all of our armed forces and security forces. These are truly extraordinary people”he wrote, highlighting that, as President, he is “with them”.
A spokesperson for Washington House Speaker Muriel Bowser said city officials were closely monitoring the situation. The mayor was in the city at the time of the attack, while the President of the United States was at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, according to the Associated Press news agency.
Hundreds of members of the National Guard from DC and several states have been patrolling the American capital since, in August, Trump issued an emergency order, federalizing the local police and mobilizing troops from eight states and the district itself.
Following Wednesday’s shooting, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Trump Administration ordered the deployment of 500 more National Guard members to Washington.
According to the latest update from the Government, there are currently 2188 soldiers assigned to the workforce operating in the city.