Two soldiers from the West Virginia National Guard were shot Wednesday afternoon just blocks from the White House in a violent attack that sparked a city-wide lockdown in Washington, D.C.
The troops — part of a high-visibility patrol — were ambushed near the intersection close to the metro station around 2:15 p.m. A suspected gunman reportedly approached, opened fire, then was subdued by other troops and law enforcement after a brief exchange of shots. The accused assailant is in police custody and reportedly sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Both National Guard members were rushed to nearby hospitals in critical condition. Initial reports that they had died were later retracted by state officials, who said they were receiving conflicting information about the soldiers’ status.
The shooting triggered a swift response: additional guard units were ordered to the capital, and security forces sealed off major streets around the White House while investigators collected evidence.
Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential targeted attack. The motive remains under review, as officials work t