Two National Guardsmen shot in Washington, D.C. - what we know: who is the shooter and what condition are the Guardsmen in?

An individual is in custody after two West Virginia National Guardsmen were shot near the White House in downtown Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.

In a post on X, Washington police said the scene has been secured, with one suspect detained. The individual in custody has not yet been publicly identified.

The incident took place at about 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon at 17th Street and I Street NW, under half a mile from the U.S. president’s residence on Pennsylvania Avenue.

“Critical condition”

Jeffrey Carroll, the executive assistant chief of D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), has told a news conference that the Guardsmen were shot in a “back and forth” exchange of fire with the suspect, who was also hit.

Officials were then “able to subdue the individual and bring him into custody”, the MPD assistant chief added.

Muriel Browser, the mayor of D.C., told reporters that the two Guardsmen are currently in “critical condition” after what she described as a “targeted shooting”.

Carroll said the suspect is also being treated at a local hospital.

The motive for the attack remains unknown. Speaking from Kentucky, U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance said: “There’s a lot that we haven’t yet figured out.”

“Conflicting reports”

Earlier, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey had announced on social media that the Guardsmen had died from their injuries. However, he later walked back this announcement, citing “conflicting reports”.

Trump says suspect “also severely wounded”

In a post on his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump said the shooting had been carried out by an “animal”, adding that the suspect is “also severely wounded” and stands to “pay a very steep price”.

“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,” Trump said.

“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!”

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