Gunfire near White House leaves several injured, including two National Guard members

Chaos struck the heart of Washington, DC when several people were shot just blocks from the White House. Among the wounded were two members of the West Virginia National Guard who had been deployed to the capital as part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing anti-crime initiative. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the shooting, urging the public to avoid the area while officers and emergency responders contained the scene. The motive behind the incident remains unclear, but early accounts describe it as a brazen and targeted act of violence.

A targeted ambush near the White House

The attack occurred near a Metro station northwest of the White House, where National Guard troops have maintained a heavy presence for months. According to Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and FBI Director Kash Patel, both Guard members were critically injured and transported to nearby hospitals.

Assistant DC Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll said video footage reviewed by investigators showed the shooter “coming around the corner” before opening fire on the troops. “It appears to be a lone gunman that raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard,” Carroll stated. Officers and nearby troops quickly subdued the suspect after he was shot and wounded during the exchange.

Witness accounts of chaos

Witnesses described scenes of panic as gunfire erupted in broad daylight. Stacy Walters, who was nearby in her car, said she heard two shots and saw people fleeing. “It’s such a beautiful day. Who would do this? And we’re getting ready for the holidays,” she recalled.

Emma McDonald, who had just exited the Metro station, said she and others sought shelter inside a café. Moments later, she watched as first responders treated a wounded Guardsman whose head appeared covered in blood. Videos shared online showed medical teams performing CPR on one of the soldiers amid shattered glass and flashing emergency lights.

National Guard’s expanding role in DC

Over 300 members of the West Virginia National Guard were deployed to Washington in August under Trump’s federal order to reinforce security in high-crime areas. Roughly 160 of them had recently volunteered to extend their deployment through the end of the year.

The National Guard’s presence has been politically divisive, sparking legal disputes and broader questions about the use of military resources in civilian law enforcement. Just last week, a federal judge ordered the end of the deployment, though the ruling was paused for 21 days to allow an appeal.

Federal and military response

Following the shooting, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that President Trump ordered an additional 500 National Guard members to Washington. Currently, about 2,200 troops are assigned to the joint task force operating across the city.

Trump, speaking from Florida for Thanksgiving, took to Truth Social to condemn the attack, calling the assailant “an animal” and vowing that “he will pay a very steep price.” He praised the Guard and law enforcement as “truly great people” and assured them of his administration’s full support.

Vice President JD Vance, addressing troops at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, urged Americans to pray for the injured soldiers. He reflected on the somber reminder that “soldiers, whether active duty, reserve or National Guard, are the sword and the shield of the United States of America.”

Investigation ongoing

Authorities confirmed that the suspect, who also sustained injuries during the exchange, remains in custody with non-life-threatening wounds. Investigators continue to search for the motive behind the attack, but for now, officials believe the shooter acted alone. As the investigation unfolds, the nation confronts another moment of uncertainty in the shadow of the White House- a stark reminder of the fragile line between order and chaos.