Two West Virginia National Guard troops were critically wounded in a shooting in Washington near the White House on Wednesday, and a suspected gunman was taken into custody.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrissey retracted his initial statement that the troops had died. He said his office received “conflicting reports” about their condition.
“Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community,” he said on social media.
The Metropolitan Police Department said it took a suspect into custody at the scene of the shooting near 17th and I streets. President Trump, who was in Florida at the time, said the gunman also was shot.
Mr. Trump called the gunman an “animal that shot the two National Guardsmen,” saying the suspect was severely wounded and would “pay a very steep price.”
One of the soldiers was shown in photos on social media lying on a sidewalk with an apparent head wound, as others tended to him. CNN reported that the gunman targeted the National Guard troops in an apparent ambush.
Mr. Trump said, “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!”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the White House “is aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation.”
The White House was placed on lockdown after the shooting. Mr. Trump had departed Washington on Tuesday evening for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The National Guard has been deployed in the nation’s capital since August as part of Mr. Trump’s crackdown on crime.
In addition to West Virginia, more than 2,000 troops from South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Ohio, Georgia, Alabama and South Dakota are stationed in the city.
Under the current orders, they are to remain in the city at least through February.
The troops have been patrolling the National Mall, made rounds of the subway system’s stations, and over the summer helped provide security for federal law enforcement agents who surged into the city at Mr. Trump’s behest.
They’ve also taken over patrols in some parks, freeing up police to patrol other areas.
The deployment coincided with a notable drop in crime reports among some major categories of offenses.
Emergency vehicles were seen on the scene of the shooting, and the Joint DC Task Force confirmed they were responding to an incident around the White House, according to reports.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said her department is working with local law enforcement to gather more information.
“Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington D.C.,” she said on social media.
Army Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard, the acting commander of the D.C. National Guard in August 2025, authorized Guard troops deployed to D.C. to carry their weapons for personal protection. Guard troops on the mission carry M-17 pistols and receive ongoing firearms training, National Guard officials said.
Gen. Blanchard decided to order Guard troops to carry their service-issued weapons after careful consideration of the security environment, officials said.
“This decision is not something taken lightly,” he said at the time. “We are in coordination with our law enforcement partners, and all appropriate review processes are in place.”
A federal judge ruled last week that the Trump administration broke the law by deploying the National Guard to patrol the nation’s capital without the city’s approval.
In response, the White House said Mr. Trump remains committed to his plans and is within his lawful authority to do so.
• Stephen Dinan and Mike Glenn contributed to this story, which is based in part on wire service reports.
