Two National Guard members sustained gunshot wounds in a busy area near the White House on Wednesday. The incident prompted an immediate security lockdown of the executive complex.
The shooting occurred near Farragut Square, a popular lunch spot just blocks from the White House. Officials transported the suspected shooter to a hospital with gunshot wounds.
Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the attack. The White House was empty at the time, with President Donald Trump in Florida. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially reported that both victims had died. He later retracted that statement, citing “conflicting reports” about their condition.
The two injured individuals were members of the West Virginia National Guard. Their current medical status remains officially unconfirmed. Stacey Walters, an eyewitness, reported hearing two loud booms and seeing people flee the area. She observed Secret Service agents pursuing an individual in a hooded sweatshirt.
New video captures chaotic aftermath of downtown D.C. shooting that killed two National Guard troops near White House; suspect in custody.
The President put out at statement on this animal. #WashingtonDC #nationalguard pic.twitter.com/KNhLWYcaG6
— Johnny Law (@johnnylawfiveO) November 26, 2025Another witness, Mike Ryan, heard gunfire and saw two National Guard members on the ground. He stated that people were attempting to resuscitate one victim while others subdued the suspect.
The incident triggered a massive response from multiple law enforcement agencies. The Secret Service, the Metropolitan Police, and the Metro Transit Police all converged on the scene. President Trump, who is at his Mar-a-Lago resort, called the suspected shooter an “animal” in a social media post. He vowed the individual would “pay a very steep price.”
Approximately 2,200 National Guard troops have been deployed in Washington since August. The deployment was part of a controversial initiative to address crime in Democratic-led cities.
