Yesterday around 2:15 pm ET, two National Guard soldiers were shot in what officials call a 'targeted ambush' just a few blocks from the White House near 17th and I streets. The suspect, who opened fire from around a corner, was wounded in a return exchange and is now in custody.
As soon as shots rang out, the White House complex went into lockdown. Law enforcement from multiple agencies – including the FBI, Secret Service and Metropolitan Police – swarmed the area, turning the usually bustling streets near Farragut Square into a tense scene of flashing lights and radio chatter 🚨.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser stressed it was no random act, saying 'This is a targeted attack.' The two soldiers remain in critical condition at local hospitals, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
President Donald Trump, at his Palm Beach resort ahead of tomorrow’s Thanksgiving holiday, called the suspected shooter an 'animal' in a social media post and vowed justice for the Guard. Vice President JD Vance is in Kentucky.
Witnesses described chaos in Farragut Square – a popular lunch spot lined with wreath-wrapped light posts, coffee shops and fast-casual spots. Mike Ryan, heading out for a late lunch, heard the first shots and saw soldiers pinned on the ground as people scrambled for cover.
Emma McDonald watched as one soldier was carried off on a stretcher, blood seeping through his helmet. Nearby troops, part of a high-visibility patrol deployed since August, kept the scene secure until backup arrived.
About 2,200 Guard members from DC, Louisiana, Ohio, West Virginia and other states have been on duty in the capital since August, part of a controversial deployment linked to President Trump’s immigration and crime crackdown in Democratic-led cities.
With Thanksgiving Eve unfolding in the U.S., this incident has rattled a city already on edge. Authorities believe the shooter acted alone and are piecing together a motive. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI or local police.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
Reference(s):
National Guard soldiers shot in 'targeted' attack near White House
cgtn.com
