Two members of the National Guard were seriously wounded in a shooting near the White House in Washington D.C. on Wednesday evening. A suspect has been apprehended in connection with the incident, which is likely to reignite debate surrounding the President’s crime-fighting initiatives.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the two National Guard members, deployed as part of the President’s initiative to combat crime in several states, are in “critical condition.”
Earlier, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey mistakenly announced the deaths of the two soldiers, who hailed from his state. He later retracted the statement, posting on X that “We are now receiving conflicting reports about their condition, and will provide updates as soon as we have more complete information.”
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed that the shooting was “intentional” and carried out by a single gunman, who is now in custody.
Reuters reports that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has taken the lead in the investigation, examining whether the shooting constitutes an act of terrorism.
The D.C. Police Chief stated that the investigation into the shooter’s identity and connections is ongoing. Video footage from the scene indicates that a lone gunman attacked the National Guard personnel. He confirmed that one individual is in custody and there are no other suspects at this time.
According to a law enforcement official, the suspect sustained a gunshot wound and is receiving treatment. One of the National Guard members was reportedly shot in the head, according to a source familiar with the details of the incident.
CBS News reports that law enforcement officials have identified the suspect as a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021. NBC has quoted a relative of the suspect as saying he served in the Afghan army for 10 years before arriving in the U.S.
