National Guard Members Critically Wounded in Targeted D.C. Shooting
Washington, D.C. – Two National Guard members from West Virginia are in critical condition following a targeted shooting near the White House on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. An unidentified suspect, who was also severely wounded, is now in custody after the brazen daylight attack. The incident, which occurred just blocks from the nation’s capital, prompted a White House lockdown and a rapid response from multiple law enforcement agencies.
Details of the Ambush
The shooting unfolded around 2:15 PM ET near the Farragut West Metro station, specifically at 17th and I Street NW. Metropolitan Police Executive Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll described the event as an "ambush-style attack." According to Carroll, a lone gunman rounded a corner, raised a firearm, and opened fire on the Guardsmen, a man and a woman, who were conducting "high visibility patrols."
Other National Guard members in the vicinity quickly intervened. They heard the gunfire and were able to subdue the suspect after he had been shot. Law enforcement officials reported that approximately 10 to 15 shots were fired during the incident. Both wounded Guardsmen were transported to local hospitals in critical condition, as was the suspect.
Conflicting Reports and Official Confirmations
Initial reports regarding the condition of the National Guard members were conflicting. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially posted on social media that both Guardsmen had died, but later retracted his statement, citing "conflicting reports." Their critical condition was subsequently confirmed by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and FBI Director Kash Patel during a news briefing.
President Donald Trump, who was in Florida for Thanksgiving, was briefed on the shooting. He condemned the perpetrator as an "animal" and vowed they would "pay a very steep price," while expressing strong support for the National Guard and military. Vice President JD Vance, speaking to troops in Kentucky, called for prayers for the injured Guardsmen and acknowledged that the motive remained unknown.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled the attack a "cowardly, dastardly act" and announced that President Trump had directed him to request an additional 500 National Guard troops be deployed to Washington, D.C. This would augment the existing 2,188 Guard personnel already assigned to the city.
National Guard Deployment Under Scrutiny
The presence of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., has been a contentious issue. Troops were initially deployed in August 2025 as part of President Trump’s federal takeover of the city, aimed at combating crime. Just last week, a federal judge ruled that this deployment for non-military, crime-deterrence missions was unlawful. The judge’s order to end the deployment was paused for 21 days to allow the administration time to appeal. Coincidentally, on the same day as the shooting, the Trump administration filed an emergency motion to keep the National Guard in D.C.
The West Virginia National Guard had contributed 300-400 members to this deployment, with approximately 180 still on duty, some having volunteered to extend their service. A lawsuit filed by the West Virginia Citizen Action Group, represented by the ACLU, challenging the legality of the deployment, was dismissed by a Kanawha County Circuit Court judge on November 10.
Ongoing Investigation and Broader Concerns
The motive behind Wednesday’s shooting remains unclear, and authorities are actively working to identify the suspect. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the incident would be treated as an assault on a federal law enforcement officer, making it "a matter of national security."
This attack contributes to a disturbing trend of political violence witnessed in the U.S. in 2025, including the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in September and the killing of Democratic Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman in June, as reported by digitaltrendstoday.com. Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Mike Johnson, have condemned the violence and offered their prayers for the wounded Guardsmen and their families.
The incident underscores the heightened security concerns in the nation’s capital and the ongoing debate surrounding the role and deployment of military personnel in domestic law enforcement.
