Updated 11/26/25 at 4:26 pm: Early confusion arose when West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey posted on social media that the Guardsmen had died, but he quickly retracted it, citing “conflicting reports.” Official statements from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll, and FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the victims were critically wounded but alive. President Trump also described them as “critically wounded” in a Truth Social post. The situation is still developing.

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Two National Guardsmen from West Virginia were killed Wednesday afternoon in a shooting just steps from the White House, prompting a major security response and temporary lockdown measures across the downtown D.C. area.

The shooting occurred shortly before 2:30 p.m. near 17th Street and I Street NW, adjacent to Farragut Square and roughly two blocks north of the White House, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

Authorities said the scene has been secured, and one shooting suspect is in custody.

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A law enforcement source told NBC4 Washington that the two Guardsmen were shot during an exchange of gunfire with the suspect. The suspect was also shot and transported to the hospital. No additional injuries were reported.

One Guardsman was flown by medevac helicopter. The second Guardsman and the suspect were transported by ambulance.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey confirmed the deaths of both Guardsmen in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

President Trump Responds

President Donald Trump reacted to the shooting on Truth Social:

“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!”

Trump is currently at Mar-a-Lago, while Vice President JD Vance is traveling at Fort Campbell, according to NBC Washington.

Witnesses Describe Scene

Nyla McGee, a D.C. resident who was in Franklin Square at the time, told NBC Washington she saw National Guard members running toward the scene.

“We saw the National Guard specifically running toward this way and that’s why we were kind of shocked because I’ve never seen National Guards [members] running unless it’s something serious,” she said. “Especially, we saw undercover cars coming in and a helicopter at one point. That’s how I knew it was getting serious.”

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded within minutes, including the U.S. Park Police, Metropolitan Police Department, and Metro Transit Police. The FBI is also assisting in the investigation, Director Kash Patel said in a social media post.

Security Measures Expanded

As helicopters moved overhead, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport temporarily halted departures as a precaution, coinciding with one of the busiest travel days of the year.

Metro Transit Police advised travelers to avoid the Farragut West station due to the ongoing investigation. Surrounding streets remain shut down as federal and local authorities continue processing the scene.

Context and Ongoing Threat Environment

The shooting follows months of heightened concern over attacks on federal personnel and uniformed officers nationwide. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, an armed gunman opened fire at the Dallas ICE field office in September in what FBI Director Kash Patel described as a deliberate attempt to kill immigration enforcement officers.

Authorities in Washington have not released information about a motive in Wednesday’s shooting. More updates are expected throughout the evening.