The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed during a press conference on Wednesday evening that the two National Guard troops who were critically wounded in a shooting earlier Wednesday afternoon were deliberately targeted.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially reported that both of the wounded soldiers were members of the West Virginia National Guard, and that they were killed. The governor later walked back his initial statement, stating that his office had received “conflicting reports” on the soldiers’ condition.
“We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates once we receive more complete information. Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community,” the governor posted on X.
During Wednesday evening’s press conference, a spokesperson for the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that both soldiers were in “critical condition” at two separate area hospitals. Disturbing footage from the scene shows responding National Guard personnel and local law enforcement doing chest compressions on at least one of the wounded soldiers.
Officials further confirmed that the soldiers were indeed deliberately targeted when a suspect emerged from around the corner and opened fire near the Farragut Metro Station, located within a mile of the White House.
“At approximately 2:15 this afternoon, members of the D.C. National Guard were on high visibility patrols in the area of 17th and I Street NW, when a suspect came around the corner, raised his arm with a firearm and discharged it at the National Guard members,” D.C. Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll announced.
“There were other members that were in the area. They were able to, after some back and forth, able to subdue the individual and bring him into custody. Within moments, members of law enforcement in the area were also able to assist and bring that individual into custody. At this time, as the director mentioned, the National Guard members are being treated at a local hospital.”
According to a report from CNN, the suspect is not cooperating with law enforcement. The gunman’s identity is unknown as of this report, nor have authorities released any information on the weapon used in the attack.
Investigators believe that the gunman acted alone after conflicting reports about a second suspect emerged earlier in the investigation. Authorities also do not believe there are any other casualties as a result of the attack.
“Please send your prayers to those brave warriors, who are in critical condition, and their families,” FBI Director Kash Patel said. “They are here serving our country.”
War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the department will be responding to the incident by deploying 500 additional military service members to the nation’s capital. “The shooter shot in a cowardly, dastardly act targeting the best of America. Heroes willing to serve in Washington, D .C., serve for people they don’t know and they’ve never met because they love their country and their capital and their community. They were willing to do dangerous things others were not because they love their fellow Americans,” Hegseth told reporters after the shooting.
“Someone decided to turn that into targeting National Guardsmen. That will only stiffen our resolve. We will never back down. We will secure our capital. We will secure our cities. In fact, this happened just steps away from the White House. We will not stand. And that’s why President Trump has asked me and I will ask the Secretary of the Army to the National Guard to add 500 additional troops, National Guardsmen to Washington, D .C. This will only stiffen our resolve toensure that we make Washington, D .C. safe and beautiful.”
