A suspect is in custody, the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department reported.
WASHINGTON—Two West Virginia National Guard members were shot near the White House on Nov. 26. Their condition is uncertain.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey initially posted that the guardsmen were part of his state’s National Guard and had passed away. In a subsequent post to social media, he said that “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.”
At a press conference, FBI Director Kash Patel said the guardsmen were in critical condition in the hospital. He also pledged to bring those responsible to justice.
Metropolitan DC Police executive assistant chief Jeff Carroll said the incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. ET in the area between 17th and I Street Northwest.
He said that the suspect appeared to be a lone gunman who ambushed the guardsmen.
“A suspect came around the corner, raised his arm with a firearm and discharged at the National Guard members,” Carroll said at the press conference.
Trump condemned the attack in a statement to Truth Social, stating that “the animal that shot the two National Guardsmen … will pay a very steep price.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the attack only hardens the administration’s resolve and that he is requesting 500 additional guardsmen for the district.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the attack only hardens the administration’s resolve and that he is requesting 500 additional guardsmen for the district.
“We will never back down,” Hegseth wrote on X. “This happened just steps away from the White House. It will not stand, and that’s why President Trump has asked me and I will ask the Secretary of the Army to the National Guard to add 500 additional troops, national guardsmen, to Washington D.C.”
The shooting came at a contentious time for the city and the Trump administration, which have been litigating over the National Guard’s presence. A federal judge ruled on Nov. 20 that the Guard’s presence was illegal.
“Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington D.C.,” Homeland Security Secretary Krsti Noem wrote in a post on X at around 3 p.m.
Noem said the Department of Homeland Security was working with local law enforcement officials investigating the incident.
The National Guard troops involved in the shooting incident were assigned to Joint Task Force-DC—a mission President Donald Trump launched in August, to support local and federal law enforcement efforts in the nation’s capital.
In an emailed press statement, a spokesperson for Joint Task Force-DC told The Epoch Times that task force members were patrolling near the Farragut West Metro Station when they came under fire.
“Joint Task Force-DC is working closely with Metro PD and partner law enforcement agencies,” the spokesperson said.
Members of the District of Columbia National Guard, and National Guard members from various other supporting states, have been attached to Joint Task Force-DC.
Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi similarly posted requests for prayers.
“FBI is engaged and assisting with the investigation in Washington, D.C. after National Guard members were shot this afternoon,” Patel said.
Mari Otsu, a reporter with The Epoch Times’ sister outlet NTD, said the incident happened a little before 2:15 p.m. Multiple shots were heard near Farragut West. “A member of the National Guard fell while others rushed onto the scene,” she said.
Correction: A previous version of this article misspelled the names of Patrick Morrisey and Kristi Noem. The Epoch Times regrets the errors.
Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington D.C.@DHSgov is working with local law enforcement to gather more information.
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) November 26, 2025
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
By Ryan Morgan
