UPDATE: West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey walked back an earlier statement in which he announced that both National Guard troops shot in downtown D.C. on Wednesday were deceased. His updated statement is as follows:
“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.”
Both of the National Guard soldiers who were shot by at least one currently unidentified gunman in downtown Washington D.C. have passed away, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced in an X post on Wednesday afternoon.
Morrisey confirmed that both of the soldiers shot were members of the West Virginia National Guard when announcing the tragic news.
“It is with great sorrow that we can confirm both members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot earlier today in Washington, DC have passed away from their injuries,” the governor wrote. “These brave West Virginians lost their lives in the service of their country. We are in ongoing contact with federal officials as the investigation continues.
Our entire state grieves with their families, their loved ones, and the Guard community. West Virginia will never forget their service or their sacrifice, and we will demand full accountability for this horrific act.”
It is with great sorrow that we can confirm both members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot earlier today in Washington, DC have passed away from their injuries. These brave West Virginians lost their lives in the service of their country. We are in ongoing contact…
— Governor Patrick Morrisey (@wvgovernor) November 26, 2025
The shooting occurred close to the Farragut Metro Station, within walking distance to the White House. Two sources familiar with the incident told Fox News that the soldiers were shot about a mile from the White House.
Disturbing footage from the scene shows several National Guard personnel and local law enforcement responding to the scene, some of whom appeared to be giving chest compressions.
President Donald Trump confirmed in a social media post that a suspect was in custody and was critically wounded. The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that National Guard personnel returned fire and wounded the suspect, who was transported to a local hospital.
It is believed that there was only one shooter as of this report, though the situation is still fluid. Law enforcement are not tracking any additional victims as a result of the shooting.
The Federal Aviation Administration briefly halted all flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to a report from CNN. “The FAA temporarily paused arrivals into Reagan Washington International Airport because of the locations of aircraft involved in responding to today’s shooting incident. Normal operations have resumed,” the FAA said.
FBI Director Kash Patel and the D.C. Metropolitan Police are expected to provide updates at a press conference within the hour.
