National Guard Shooting Near White House: FBI Investigates Potential Terrorism
A suspect with ties to Bellingham, Washington, allegedly shot two National Guard soldiers near the White House in Northwest D.C. The FBI is investigating the incident as potential international terrorism. The shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m., resulting in three victims being treated and taken to the hospital. The two injured National Guard members are in critical condition, with reports indicating they were shot in the head. The suspect, who has not been officially identified, is reported to be in custody.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially received conflicting reports about the condition of the two Guard members but later confirmed they were critically injured. The suspect, who matches the description of a man from Washington state with ties to Afghanistan, was subdued by other Guard members in the area. The bravery of the National Guard members and law enforcement personnel led to the suspect's apprehension.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, with Mayor Muriel Bowser describing it as a targeted incident. President Donald Trump expressed support for the injured National Guardsmen and condemned the shooter's actions. Vice President JD Vance addressed the shooting while speaking to service members, emphasizing the importance of their service and sacrifice.
Following the shooting, a ground stop was issued at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for security reasons, but flights have since resumed with potential delays. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard troops to D.C. in response to the incident. The investigation into the shooting and the suspect's identity is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the full details of the attack.