West Virginia National Guard Members Injured in D.C. Shooting Near White House
A serious incident unfolded in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon when two members of the West Virginia National Guard sustained injuries in a shooting near the iconic White House. Authorities swiftly responded to the scene, and a suspect is now in custody.
Governor Corrects Initial Reports
Initially, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey had issued a statement indicating fatalities, but within a mere half-hour, he retracted his assertion, clarifying that the two Guard members were injured, not killed. "We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members," he communicated on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the fluidity of information in rapidly developing situations.
Details of the Incident and Emergency Response
The shooting incident occurred just a few blocks north of the White House. Emergency responders were dispatched at 2:18 p.m. ET, providing immediate medical attention and transporting three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds to a local hospital, as confirmed by D.C. Fire and EMS spokesperson Vito Maggiolo.
The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that one suspect involved in the shooting has been apprehended.
High-Level Awareness and Federal Involvement
Prominent figures also weighed in on the unfolding crisis. President Trump, in a post on Truth Social, acknowledged his awareness of the incident, stating, "The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen ... is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price." Federal agencies quickly became involved, with Attorney General Pam Bondi announcing on X that federal agents were present at the scene. FBI Director Kash Patel further affirmed the bureau's engagement, stating, "the bureau is engaged and assisting with the investigation."
Temporary Air Travel Disruption
Even air travel was briefly affected; the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily paused arrivals into Reagan Washington International Airport due to aircraft involved in the emergency response. Normal flight operations have since resumed.
This remains a developing story, with further updates expected as the investigation progresses.
