- News
- World
- Americas
- US Crime News
The White House went on lockdown after the shooting
Rachel Dobkinin New YorkWednesday 26 November 2025 21:27 GMT
CloseNational Guard gathers around scene after two officers were shot near White House
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Email*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice
President Donald Trump ripped into the suspect who shot two National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., Wednesday afternoon.
Trump warned that the “animal” who carried out the shooting “will pay a very steep price.”
The guardsmen from West Virginia were shot just north of the White House shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday. The identity and motive of the suspected shooter remain unclear. Trump had deployed more than 2,000 National Guard troops to D.C. in August to crack down on crime. The move was controversial and angered some residents.
Here is everything we know about the shooting so far:
Where did the shooting happen?
Shots were fired just north of the White House and near the Farragut West Metro Station.
Who is the shooter?
The identity of the shooter is unknown, but Washington, D.C. metro police did say they have one suspect in custody.
open image in galleryPresident Donald Trump has ripped into the person who shot two National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., Wednesday afternoon (AFP via Getty Images)What condition are the guardsmen in?
The current condition of the guardsmen is unclear.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that the soldiers had died Wednesday afternoon.
“It is with great sorrow that we can confirm both members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot earlier today in Washington, DC have passed away from their injuries,” Morrisey wrote on X.
In a follow-up post, the governor said, “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.”
open image in galleryTrump warned that the 'animal' who carried out the shooting 'will pay a very steep price' (AP)What have officials said about the shooting?
Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday afternoon: “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.
“God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!”
Mason quoted White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: “The White House is aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation. The President has been briefed.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in an X post Wednesday afternoon, “Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington D.C.”
Noem said the agency is “working with local law enforcement to gather more information.”
open image in galleryThe current condition of the guardsmen remains unclear (Getty Images)Why is the National Guard in D.C.?
The National Guard has been in the nation’s capital for months after Trump declared a crime emergency, despite violent crime declining in recent years.
Troops have patrolled metro stations and picked up trash during their deployment.
Last Thursday, a federal judge ruled that Trump’s deployment of troops exceeded the president’s legal authority. But the order would not go into effect for 21 days to give the Trump administration time to appeal.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement shared by CBS News that D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb’s lawsuit against the administration is "nothing more than another attempt — at the detriment of DC residents — to undermine the President's highly successful operations to stop violent crime in DC."
Several states aside from West Virginia sent troops to D.C. to help in Trump’s crackdown, including Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina and Georgia.
This is a developing story...
