Two members of the U.S. National Guard were shot and critically wounded on Wednesday in a violent incident that occurred just two blocks from the White House, sending shockwaves through the nation's capital. Washington DC police confirmed that a suspect has been taken into custody following the shooting near Farragut Square, a popular and busy outdoor area.
Immediate Response and Eyewitness Accounts
An AFP reporter near the scene reported hearing several loud pops that sounded like gunshots, followed by people running away from the area. Local authorities confirmed that emergency services responded and transported three gunshot victims from the location, including the two National Guard soldiers and the alleged shooter.
Angela Perry, who was in her car with her two children at the time, told AFP: "We heard gunshots. We were waiting at the traffic light and there were several shots. You could see National Guard running toward the metro with their weapons drawn." The 42-year-old witness described the chaotic scene as security personnel responded to the emergency.
Political Reactions and Security Concerns
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem quickly addressed the incident on social media platform X, stating: "Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington DC." The shooting prompted an immediate security response, with Secret Service agents seen behind yellow police tape with their weapons drawn.
Former President Donald Trump, who was in Florida at the time of the incident, was briefed on what his spokeswoman described as a "tragic" situation. Trump later posted on his Truth Social platform: "The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price."
Broader Context of National Guard Deployment
The incident occurs amid ongoing controversy surrounding Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to several major cities. Trump has sent National Guard troops to Democratic-run Washington, Los Angeles and Memphis as part of his efforts to combat crime and enforce crackdowns on undocumented migrants.
This deployment has faced legal challenges, with a federal judge ruling last Thursday that Trump's deployment of thousands of National Guard troops in the U.S. capital is unlawful. California had previously challenged the extraordinary domestic use of the Guard earlier this year after Trump sent troops to Los Angeles to quell protests sparked by immigration enforcement actions.
The shooting near the White House highlights the complex security environment facing military personnel deployed for domestic operations and raises new questions about the safety of troops serving in urban environments.
