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By Amanda Castro, Hannah Parry, Simon Crerar, Robert Birsel, and Kate Plummer
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The suspect in the shooting of two members of the National Guard near the White House on Wednesday, has been identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, and has been taken into custody. Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and he was granted asylum this year, according to NBC News.
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The West Virginia Guard members, who U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirrio named in a Thursday press conference as Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, remain in critical condition.
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President Donald Trump has asked for 500 more National Guard members to be deployed to Washington, D.C., following the shooting of two Guardsmembers near a downtown Metro station, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.
What to Know:
- Afghan national who worked for the CIA in his native country and arrived in the U.S. in 2021 is suspect
- Rahmanullah Lakanwal, launched an “ambush-style” attack with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver
- Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24 are the victims
- Both remain in critical condition in hospital
- The shooting occurred near 17th and I Streets NW, just northwest of the White House.
- Dozens of police and emergency vehicles surrounded the area; several blocks were cordoned off.
- Trump administration quickly ordered 500 more National Guard members to Washington
Related:
- Donald Trump Reacts to National Guard Shooting
- Ground Stop Issued for Reagan National Airport: What to Know
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Nov 27, 2025 at 01:09 PM EST
Sarah Beckstrom has mortal wound, says father
Sarah Beckstrom's father has said his daughter has a "mortal wound."
Gary Beckstrom told the New York Times: “I’m holding her hand right now. She has a mortal wound. It’s not going to be a recovery.”
Nov 27, 2025 at 11:58 AM EST
What is known about Lakamal’s work with U.S. forces in Afghanistan?
The suspect, identified by officials as a 29-year-old Afghan national, entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden administration program that evacuated and resettled tens of thousands of Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal.
Operation Allies Welcome brought about 76,000 people to the U.S., including many who had worked with American troops and diplomats as interpreters and translators. The program has since drawn sharp criticism from Trump and his allies, congressional Republicans and government watchdogs, who have alleged shortcomings in the vetting process and raised concerns about the pace of admissions. Advocates, however, say the initiative provided a crucial lifeline for Afghans facing potential Taliban reprisals.
The suspect, Lakamal, has been living in Bellingham, Washington—around 79 miles north of Seattle—with his wife and five children, according to his former landlord, Kristina Widman.
Before arriving in the U.S., Lakamal worked with the U.S. government, including the CIA, “as a member of a partner force in Kandahar,” CIA Director John Ratcliffe said in a statement. Ratcliffe did not detail the suspect’s role but said the relationship ended shortly after what he described as the “chaotic evacuation” of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
Kandahar, in southern Afghanistan, is regarded as the Taliban’s heartland and was a focal point of intense fighting between the militant group and NATO forces following the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 after the September 11 attacks. The CIA relied heavily on Afghan personnel for translation, administrative support and frontline operations alongside its paramilitary officers during the war.
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Nov 27, 2025 at 11:45 AM EST
Uncommon Knowledge: Trump, Biden and the Real Record of Afghan Vetting
Afghan vetting was—and remains—a two-phase process. The first, in August-September 2021, was understandably stressed and imperfect, as DHS’ own watchdog concedes. The second phase, over months and years on U.S. soil, did the bulk of the sorting.
The Justice Department watchdog's report from June 2025 found that when potential threats were identified, the FBI "used its investigative authorities to mitigate those potential threats." While 55 evacuees were identified as watchlist matches at some point, 46 were later removed from the list after further checks. Nine remained on it as of July 2024. In other words, much of the vetting that happens via rechecks and investigations that either clears or escalates cases.
READ IN FULL: Trump, Biden and the Real Record of Afghan Vetting
Nov 27, 2025 at 10:42 AM EST
Lone gunman launched ambush
The shooting unfolded about two blocks northwest of the White House near a Metro station, according to Jeffery Carroll, an executive assistant D.C. police chief. After gunfire rang out, other troops in the area rushed to the scene and restrained the suspect after he was shot, he said.
“It appears to be a lone gunman that raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard,” Carroll told reporters, adding that investigators have not yet determined whether the suspect was shot by a guard member or by law enforcement.
“At this point, we have no other suspects,” Carroll said at a news conference.
A separate law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation, said at least one guard member returned fire.
Video circulating on social media in the moments after the attack appeared to show first responders administering CPR to one of the troops and treating another on a sidewalk littered with broken glass.
Nov 27, 2025 at 10:31 AM EST
Shooting investigated as act of terrorism
FBI Director Kash Patel said the shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism, adding that agents have executed a series of search warrants as part of what he called a “coast-to-coast investigation.”
The National Guard members who were shot had been sworn in less than 24 hours before the attack. Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said officials have remained in close contact with their families. “We have been in constant contact with their families and have provided them with every resource needed during this difficult time,” she said.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser framed the shooting as an attack on the nation itself, not a response aimed narrowly at Trump’s policies.
“Somebody drove across the country and came to Washington, D.C., to attack America,” Bowser said. “That person will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
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Nov 27, 2025 at 10:26 AM EST
Lakanwal drove across US to carry out attack, officials say
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect in Wednesday's D.C. shooting, drove across the country to launch an “ambush-style” attack with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver, Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said at a press conference.
The suspect currently faces charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Pirro said that “it's too soon to say” what the suspect's motives were.
The charges could be upgraded, Pirro said, adding, “We are praying that they survive and that the highest charge will not have to be murder in the first degree. But make no mistake, if they do not, that will certainly be the charge.”
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Nov 27, 2025 at 09:34 AM EST
US Attorney General reveals victims names, suspect’s charges
The National Guard members who were shot on Wednesday have been named as Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said at a Thursday press conference that they were members of the West Virginia National Guard and that they had been moved to D.C. as part of Trump's efforts to make the city safer She said that the two victims were sworn in the day before the shooting.
As things stand, the perpetrator faces 3 counts of assaults with intent to kill while armed, and charges regarding possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and faces 15 years in prison. If the victims die, the perpetrator will face murder charges, Pirro said.
Nov 27, 2025 at 08:34 AM EST
Pam Bondi: “Death penalty” could be sought for shooter
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed on Fox News Thursday morning that both victims in the shooting have had surgery. She said one victim, who she did not name, was female. "She volunteered to work on Thanksgiving - working today, as did many other guardsmen and women so that other people could be at home with their families. Yet now their families are in hospital rooms with them, while they are fighting for their lives. Everyone just pray today for these two soldiers."
She added that she would "seek the death penalty" for the perpetrator of the shooting. "But if something happens, I'll tell you right now, we will do everything in our power to seek the death penalty for that monster, who should not have been in our country."
Nov 27, 2025 at 08:24 AM EST
JD Vance says Afghan refugees “shouldn’t have been in our country.”
Vice President JD Vance has joined those criticizing the Biden administration for allowing more Afghan nationals into the U.S. "I remember back in 2021 criticizing the Biden policy of opening the floodgate to unvetted Afghan refugees. Friends sent me messages calling me a racist. It was a clarifying moment. They shouldn't have been in our country."
He added: "Many of our voters will demand not just words, but action, and this is an entirely appropriate response. We will first bring the shooter to justice, and then we must redouble our efforts to deport people with no right to be in our country. Already some voices in corporate media chirp that our immigration policies are too harsh. Tonight is a reminder of why they're wrong."
Nov 27, 2025 at 07:51 AM EST
Trump administration accused of stigmatizing Afghan nationals
Shawn VaNiver, president of AghanEvac, an organization which resettles Aghhan people told CNN: "We’ve got so many people who are here, and one guy doing this does not mean that all Afghan families are troublemakers or terrorists.”
Meanwhile, writing on X, lawyer Robert Kelner said: "If this is the start of an effort to block Afghans as a class from staying in this country, that would be a tragic mistake."
He added: "By all means, screen them before ensuring their permanent residence. But a general ban on Afghans in America would be wrong and self-destructive."
Cyrus Mehta, an immigration attorney, wrote: "One person's actions does not at all justify the suspension of immigration benefits for all Afghan nationals. We should refrain from scapegoating and tainting an entire immigrant community even if Trump is indulging in it. This sort of racial profiling creates uncertainty to Afghans who helped the US military at great risk to their lives."
Nov 27, 2025 at 06:39 AM EST
National Guard shooting suspect reportedly granted asylum this year
The suspect in the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House on Wednesday was granted asylum by President Donald Trump's administration, it has been reported.
A source familiar with the case and a separate law enforcement source told NBC News that Rahmanullah Lakanwal was granted asylum in the U.S. this year.
Lakanwal, 29, is reported to be an Afghan national who came to the United States as part of Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden-era effort to resettle Afghans who assisted U.S. forces.
Investigators from the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force are probing the motives behind the ambush-style shooting that left two members of the West Virginia National Guard critically wounded just blocks from the White House, per Reuters.
Read in full: National Guard Shooting Suspect Granted Asylum by Trump Admin: Report
Nov 27, 2025 at 05:31 AM EST
Trump admin stops processing all Afghan nationals’ immigration requests
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency has announced that it will stop processing Afghan nationals' immigration requests "effective immediately" while it reviews "security and vetting protocols."
The agency wrote on X: "Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols. The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission."
Read in full: National Guard Shooting Halts Immigration Processing for Afghan Nationals
Nov 27, 2025 at 04:19 AM EST
Shooting suspect ‘had link to CIA’ in Afghanistan
The Afghan national suspected of shooting two National Guard members near the White House on Wednesday had worked with the CIA, the agency’s director said, according to Fox News Digital.
Intelligence sources told Fox that the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, had ties with various entities in the U.S. government, including the CIA, due to his work as a member of a partner force in the southern city of Kandahar before the U.S. withdrawal.
CIA director John Ratcliffe told Fox News Digital: "The Biden administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to the United States in September 2021 due to his prior work with the U.S. government, including CIA."
The CIA was known to support certain Afghan militia units in their battle against Taliban Islamists, distinct from the national army of the U.S.-backed government, especially in the south and east of the country.
Human rights groups were often critical of the tactics of those Afghan forces.
Nov 27, 2025 at 01:10 AM EST
Shooting suspect served in support of U.S. troops, relative tells NBC
A relative of the shooting suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, said Lakanwal had served in the Afghan army for 10 years in support of U.S. special forces, NBC reported, citing a relative of the man.
Lakanwal was stationed at a base in the Afghan city of Kandahar, which was the main hub for U.S. and allied forces in the south of the country, for part of the time he served in the Afghan army, the relative said.
“We were the ones that were targeted by the Taliban in Afghanistan,” said the relative, who served with Lakanwal in support of U.S. troops.
“I cannot believe it that he might do this,” the relative added.
The Islamist Taliban defeated the army of the U.S.-backed Afghan government in 2021, as U.S. forces were completing their withdrawal after a 20-year intervention.
Lakanwal grew up in Khost province in eastern Afghanistan, on the border with Pakistan, and lived in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children, the relative said.
Nov 26, 2025 at 11:41 PM EST
Suspected shooter lived in Washington state – report
The Afghan national suspect in the shooting, identified by law enforcement officials as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been living in Washington state, the Associated Press reported.
Lakamal arrived in Bellingham, Washington, about 80 miles north of Seattle, with his wife and five children, said his former landlord Kristina Widman.
He entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration program that evacuated and resettled some 75,000 Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal from their country that year, officials said.
Many of those Afghans had worked alongside U.S. troops and diplomats as interpreters and in similar jobs.
Nov 26, 2025 at 10:06 PM EST
Trump says every arrival from Afghanistan under Biden must be ‘re-examined’
President Donald Trump said everyone who arrived in the United States from Afghanistan under the Biden administration must be “re-examined” in light of the Wednesday shooting of two National Guard members in Washington D.C. by a suspect from Afghanistan.
Trump referred to Afghanistan as “a hellhole on earth” and said “nobody knew who was coming in” after the Islamist Taliban re-captured the country in 2021 as U.S. forces were withdrawing.
“This attack underscores the single greatest national security threat facing our nation,” Trump said in a video address, referring to the Wednesday shooting.
“We must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden and we must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from the country who does not belong here, or add benefit to our country. If they can’t love our country, we don’t want them,” he said.
More than 75,000 Afghan refugees were admitted to the United States after the U.S. withdrawal from their country.
Trump said the shooting suspect’s “status was extended under legislation signed by President Biden,” who Trump said let in 20 million “unknown and unvetted” foreigners.
Nov 26, 2025 at 09:35 PM EST
President Trump says shooting was ‘act of terror’
President Donald Trump said in a video address the shooting in Washington D.C. was an act of terror and the “animal” who carried out the attack would pay “the steepest price.”
“The heinous assault was an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation, it was a crime against humanity,” Trump said.
“As we are filled with anguish and grief for those who were shot, we’re also filled with righteous anger and ferocious resolve,” he said.
“As president of the United States, I am determined to ensure that the animal who perpetrated this atrocity pays the steepest possible price.”
President Trump delivers remarks on the horrific attack on the Great National Guard Warriors https://t.co/xDxRzJENU0
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 27, 2025
Nov 26, 2025 at 09:19 PM EST
Barack Obama Says ‘Violence Has No Place In America’, Prays for Troopers
Former President Barack Obama has commented on today's events.
In a post on X, Obama wrote that he and his wife are "praying for the servicemembers shot in Washington, DC today."
The Obamas "send our our live to their families as they enter this holiday season under the most tragic of circumstances," he added.
Nov 26, 2025 at 08:42 PM EST
One of the wounded Guardsmen was shot in the head – report
One of the two National Guard members shot on Wednesday was shot in the head, according to a person familiar with the details of the incident who spoke to the Associated Press. The condition and identities of the Guardsmen have not been released.
The suspected shooter, who is in custody, was also shot and has injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, a law enforcement official who declined to be identified, told the AP.
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Nov 26, 2025 at 08:15 PM EST
Trump admin asks for emergency motion to keep National Guard in DC after shooting
The Trump administration has asked a federal appeals court for an emergency motion to stay judge's order to remove the National Guard from Washington, DC.
District Judge Jia Cobb last week ruled that President Donald Trump’s deployment of the Guard was unlawful, saying it had "exceeded the bound of their authority" by deploying the troops without a request from city officials, for "non-military, crime-deterrence missions."
The administration filed an appeal on Tuesday, but on Wednesday at 2.57 p.m. ET, following the D.C. shooting of two Guard members at around 2.15 p.m., the Justice Department asked for an emergency order to block Cobb’s ruling. It did not reference the shooting.
“The injunction impinges on the President’s express statutory authority as Commander-in-Chief of the D.C. National Guard and impermissibly second-guesses his successful efforts to address intolerably high crime rates in the Nation’s capital,” the emergency motion read.
Nov 26, 2025 at 08:03 PM EST
Bidens offer payers to National Guard members and their families
Former President Joe Biden, and former First Lady Jill, have offered their condolences after the shooting of two National Guard members in D.C. on Wednesday.
In a post on X, Joe Biden wrote that he and Jil are "heartbroken" by the attack that left the guard members in a critical condition.
"Violence of any kind is unacceptable, and we must all stand united against it. We are praying for the service members and their families," he added.
Nov 26, 2025 at 07:43 PM EST
West Virginia AG says state’s guard members would ‘jump at the chance’ to deploy in DC after shooting
West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey said that many of the state's National Guard members were more than willing to be deployed in the capital after two of their members were shot on Wednesday.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that President Donald Trump has ordered him to deploy 500 additional guardsmen in the wake of today's attack.
It's not yet clear if the 500 guard members will all come from West Virginia, but McCuskey said, "I do know that there are guardsmen and women here in West Virginia that would jump at the chance to try to secure a city where two of their own have been brazenly ambushed and attacked in broad daylight, merely blocks from the White House.”
"The folks here in West Virginia when asked to serve, will serve, and they’ll serve in the way that their commander-in-chief asked them to," he told CNN.
Nov 26, 2025 at 07:32 PM EST
Chief of the National Guard Bureau says he’s travelling to DC
The Chief of the National Guard bureau, Gen. Steven Nordhaus, said he is leaving Guantanamo Bay to be with Guard members in the wake of the shooting in Washington, D.C.
“We are devastated by this senseless act of violence,” said Nordhaus in a post on X. “And we will remain on station to defend and protect our fellow citizens at home and abroad.”
Nov 26, 2025 at 07:29 PM EST
‘Violence is never the answer,’ DC AG condemns shooting of National Guard members
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has condemned the shooting of two National Guard members on Wednesday.
“Violence is never the answer and must be swiftly condemned by all,” he wrote on X. “The National Guard are volunteers. They sign up to leave their regular jobs and families at a moment’s notice to serve their country.
"This is a heartbreaking day for DC and our nation. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, friends, and fellow Guardsmen,” Schwalb added.
Schwalb had previously argued that the Trump administration's deployment of the National Guard in D.C. was illegal, and brought a lawsuit arguing the continued deployment was unconstitutional.
Nov 26, 2025 at 07:29 PM EST
WATCH: Hegseth says he’s deploying 500 extra troops to DC after shooting
Nov 26, 2025 at 07:21 PM EST
Who is Rahmanullah Lakanwal? National Guard shooting suspect identified
The suspect in the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House Wednesday afternoon has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal by multiple law enforcement officials, CBS News reported.
Lakanwal, 29, is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021, according to the report.
No motive has been given for the shooting and the identities of the National Guard members who were critically injured in the shooting have not yet been released.
President Donald Trump and multiple state and federal leaders have issued statements condemning the violence and calling for accountability.
Read in full: Who is Rahmanullah Lakanwal? National Guard shooting suspect identified
Nov 26, 2025 at 07:15 PM EST
House Speaker Mike Johnson calls for prayers for shot guards members
House Speaker Mike Johnson has called for prayers for the two National Guard members who were shot in D.C. on Wednesday.
Rep. Johnson praised the "heroic work" of the Guard who he said had been "working around the clock to make our nation’s capital safe again."
"We are forever grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement and for all those who risk their own lives to protect everyone else," he added on X.
“Please join us in prayer for the National Guardsmen who were shot near the White House today, and pray with us for their loved ones too."
Nov 26, 2025 at 07:02 PM EST
DC suspect believed to be an Afghan national, says law enforcement: Report
The suspect has initially identified as an Afghan national, U.S. law enforcement sources told NBC News on Wednesday evening.
Officials are still trying to confirm the alleged shooter's identity and personal details, they added. A motive has not yet been determined.
The FBI are investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism.
Nov 26, 2025 at 07:00 PM EST
Where did the shooting take place?
Two National Guard members were shot Wednesday at the entrance to Washington’s Farragut West Metro Station, according to people familiar with the investigation.
The station has been a regular post for Guard personnel in recent months, with troops maintaining a visible presence and frequently patrolling the escalators and surrounding area.
Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances of the attack.
Nov 26, 2025 at 06:45 PM EST
JD Vance reacts to National Guard shooting during Fort Campbell address
Vice President JD Vance responded to the shooting of two National Guard members, during his speech at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
“We’re still learning everything. We still don’t know the motive. There’s a lot that we haven’t yet figured out, but what we do know is that a couple of national guardsmen were injured in the line of duty,” Vance said in his address on Wednesday.
Vance added that the attack on the West Virginia National Guard members was a "somber reminder that soldiers, whether they’re active duty, reserve or national guard, our soldiers are the sword and the shield of the United States of America.”
Nov 26, 2025 at 06:30 PM EST
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser says attack was ‘targeted’
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser called the attack a “targeted shooting," during a Wednesday press conference.
She also said that she has briefed Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro about the details of the attack.
Bowser declined to answer a reporter's question, whether the shooting validated the need for more guard troops on the streets in the Capitol.
Another police official said the shooting was carried out by a “lone gunman.”
Nov 26, 2025 at 06:14 PM EST
Police: Guardsmen were armed during D.C. shooting, suspect’s wounds unclear
Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Carroll said Wednesday that the two National Guard members shot near a downtown Metro station were armed at the time of the attack.
Carroll noted investigators have not yet determined who fired the shots that wounded the suspect, leaving unanswered questions about the sequence of events.
The incident, which left both Guardsmen critically injured, has intensified scrutiny of the Guard’s deployment in the capital and raised concerns about security protocols surrounding their patrols.
Nov 26, 2025 at 05:53 PM EST
WATCH – Newsweek explains: Two National Guard members shot near White House
Nov 26, 2025 at 05:48 PM EST
California Guard members say D.C. attack was foreseeable
National Guard soldiers who recently returned from deployment in Los Angeles said they were angered but not surprised by Wednesday’s deadly attack on Guard members in Washington, D.C.
The troops, activated earlier this year by the White House to support federal immigration operations in California, described the incident as a grim but expected consequence of their expanded role in domestic enforcement.
“I knew this would happen,” said one veteran Guardsman, who previously served in Iraq before being sent to Los Angeles this summer. He and others voiced frustration that Guard units were placed in volatile situations far from traditional military duties.
Nov 26, 2025 at 05:33 PM EST
Immigrant communities testify to fear and hardship from federal raids in Southern California
Dozens of Southern California residents described the toll of federal immigration raids during a congressional hearing in Los Angeles on Monday, recounting stories of masked agents tackling people, detentions without food or water, and families separated for months.
Witnesses included immigrants, U.S. citizens, and local officials who said the operations by Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents amounted to racial profiling and abuse of power. One woman said she had not seen her husband since his arrest in June, while another man described falling ill in detention and being denied medical care.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson called the raids “racial profiling” and “abuse of power,” while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other Democratic lawmakers pressed for investigations into alleged misconduct. Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, told the Trump administration, “We are watching you.”
Federal officials defended the crackdown, saying the raids targeted undocumented immigrants with violent criminal records, though others without records were also detained. Since June, Homeland Security says about 9,000 people have been arrested in the Los Angeles area.
Nov 26, 2025 at 05:20 PM EST
Trump administration misstated facts in Supreme Court filing on Chicago guard deployment, NYT investigation finds
A New York Times investigation has found that the Trump administration made inaccurate claims in its emergency filing to the Supreme Court seeking approval to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to Chicago.
The solicitor general’s request, relying heavily on declarations from Homeland Security officials, mischaracterized the responsiveness of Chicago police and the behavior of protesters following an October 4 incident involving Border Patrol agents. The filing suggested officers failed to respond for more than an hour after a shooting, but police records and video evidence show they arrived within minutes.
The administration also portrayed protesters as rioters, though footage reviewed by the Times showed largely peaceful demonstrations for hours before federal agents escalated their response. A lower court judge had already questioned the candor of the federal declarations, noting discrepancies in their accounts.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on whether the administration can proceed with the deployment, a decision that could set a precedent for sending Guard troops to other U.S. cities.
Nov 26, 2025 at 05:15 PM EST
Police chief gives update on condition of National Guardsmen
Chief of Specialized Operations at the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, Jeff Carroll, said that the two National Guardsmen were in a critical condition at a D.C. hospital.
"Both of the individuals, the guard members, they are in critical condition at a local hospital at this time, being treated," he told Sky News.
"At this point, we have no other suspects. We have reviewed video from the area. It appears, like I said, to be a lone gunman that raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard, and he was quickly taken into custody by other National Guard members."
Nov 26, 2025 at 05:07 PM EST
Officials say no additional victims in D.C. shooting
Law enforcement officials confirmed Wednesday that no other victims have been identified in the downtown Washington shooting beyond the two National Guard members and the suspect, according to a source familiar with the investigation.
The source said the suspect was shot by law enforcement before being taken into custody. Investigators have not yet determined a motive, noting the inquiry remains in its early stages.
The incident prompted a heavy emergency response near the White House, where police secured the area and federal agencies joined the investigation.
Nov 26, 2025 at 04:56 PM EST
FBI Director: Guardsmen in D.C. shooting critically wounded, suspect charged
FBI Director Kash Patel said Wednesday that two West Virginia National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C., remain in critical condition but are alive.
Patel confirmed the assailant will face charges of assault on a federal officer. The suspect was taken into custody after the attack, which occurred near a downtown Metro station where Guard troops have maintained a daily presence.
Nov 26, 2025 at 04:54 PM EST
JD Vance calls for prayers after shooting of National Guard members in D.C.
Vice President JD Vance urged Americans to pray for two National Guard members critically wounded in Wednesday’s shooting near the White House.
Nov 26, 2025 at 04:44 PM EST
White House calls lid: Report
It is being reported that the White House has called a lid for the day, signaling President Trump will not make any further public appearances.
Nov 26, 2025 at 04:41 PM EST
Why is the National Guard in Washington DC?
More than 2,000 National Guard troops were sent to Washington in August after President Trump assumed federal control of the city’s police and ordered the mobilization as part of a crime crackdown.
Since then, Guard members have been stationed at metro stops, tourist areas, and even tasked with cleanup duties around the National Mall.
On Wednesday, two soldiers from West Virginia’s National Guard were killed in a downtown shooting, Governor Patrick Morrisey confirmed in a statement.
The deployment includes troops from Washington, D.C., as well as units from West Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, and Georgia.
Last week, U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb temporarily blocked the administration from continuing the deployment, ruling the city was likely to succeed in its argument that the move was unlawful. Cobb delayed the enforcement of her order for three weeks to give the administration time to withdraw the troops and pursue an appeal.
Nov 26, 2025 at 04:34 PM EST
Suspect targeted Guardsmen in D.C. shooting, sources say: Report
Law enforcement sources say the suspect in Wednesday’s shooting near the White House appeared to target two National Guard members deliberately, CNN reports.
According to three officials briefed on the investigation, the suspect first fired at a guardsman standing only a few feet away, then shot at another who tried to take cover behind a bus stop shelter.
The suspect was taken into custody but is not cooperating with investigators, sources said. He had no identification on him at the time of arrest, complicating efforts to determine his background and motive.
Nov 26, 2025 at 04:30 PM EST
Trump requests 500 more Guard troops for Washington, officials say
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that President Trump has asked for 500 additional National Guard members to be deployed to Washington, D.C.
Nov 26, 2025 at 04:28 PM EST
FBI, Justice Department leaders respond to shooting of National Guard members in D.C.
Federal officials said Wednesday that agencies are actively assisting in the investigation after two National Guard members were shot near the White House.
FBI Director Kash Patel posted on social media that the bureau is “engaged and assisting with the investigation in Washington, D.C.,” adding that prayers are with the wounded Guardsmen and promising updates as more information becomes available.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi also commented on X, writing that “federal agents are on the scene of the horrific shooting of 2 National Guardsmen in Washington, DC” and urging prayers for the D.C. National Guard.
Nov 26, 2025 at 04:15 PM EST
West Virginia governor revises statement on guardsmen’s condition after D.C. shooting
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey on Wednesday walked back an earlier announcement that two members of the state’s National Guard had died following a shooting near the White House.
In a post on X, Morrisey said officials are now receiving “conflicting reports” about the soldiers’ condition and pledged to provide updates once more complete information is available.
“Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community,” Morrisey wrote.
Nov 26, 2025 at 04:15 PM EST
National Guardsmen exchanged gunfire with suspect before being shot near White House
Two National Guard members engaged in gunfire with a suspected shooter before being wounded near the White House on Wednesday, according to two law enforcement sources.
The suspect was detained at the scene and transported away on a stretcher, the sources said.
Nov 26, 2025 at 04:02 PM EST
Gavin Newsom: ‘There must be zero tolerance for violence’
California Governor Gavin Newsom denounced the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House, calling the attack “horrific and unacceptable.”
In a statement posted on X, Newsom said there must be “zero tolerance for violence — of any kind — against the brave men and women in uniform who selflessly serve our communities and our country.”
He added that he and his wife, Jen, are praying for the wounded service members, their families, and the broader National Guard community.
Nov 26, 2025 at 03:55 PM EST
Law enforcement activity in D.C. causes flight delays at National Airport
Flight operations at Washington National Airport (DCA) were disrupted on Wednesday due to a security matter related to law enforcement activity in downtown Washington, D.C., officials told Newsweek.
The Federal Aviation Administration, which manages the region’s airspace, confirmed an incident at the airport itself did not cause the delays. Passengers traveling through DCA were advised to expect disruptions and check directly with their airlines for updated schedules.
The FAA is expected to provide additional details as the situation develops.
Nov 26, 2025 at 03:49 PM EST
West Virginia governor confirms deaths of guardsmen shot in D.C.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey confirmed Wednesday that two members of the state’s National Guard who were shot near the White House earlier in the day have died from their injuries.
In a statement posted on X, Morrisey called the attack “horrific and unacceptable,” saying the Guardsmen “lost their lives in the service of their country.” He added that state officials remain in contact with federal authorities as the investigation continues.
“Our entire state grieves with their families, their loved ones, and the Guard community,” Morrisey wrote. “West Virginia will never forget their service or their sacrifice, and we will demand full accountability for this horrific act.”
Nov 26, 2025 at 03:48 PM EST
FAA briefly halts flights into DCA after shooting near White House
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The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily halted flights into Washington National Airport (DCA) on Wednesday to allow a medevac helicopter to operate near the White House following a shooting downtown.
The pause in arrivals was lifted shortly afterward, and the FAA said normal operations have resumed. Inbound flights that had been placed in holding patterns were cleared to land, and no cancellations were reported.
Nov 26, 2025 at 03:48 PM EST
White House downgrades security alert after shooting near grounds
The White House was briefly placed under a “condition red” alert on Wednesday following gunfire in downtown Washington, D.C., a designation signaling a potential threat to life.
Officials later downgraded the alert to “condition orange,” which indicates a high risk but not necessarily life-threatening circumstances. Secret Service officers remain on standby to move personnel if necessary.
Nov 26, 2025 at 03:44 PM EST
Ground stop issued at Washington National Airport due to ‘security’ event
The Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center issued a ground stop for Washington National Airport (DCA) on Wednesday afternoon, citing security concerns.
The advisory, released at 2008Z, halted departures between 1958Z and 2100Z, affecting multiple regional facilities including ZTL, ZDC, ZNY, ZJX, ZOB, ZBW, and ZID.
According to the FAA, the stop resulted in 618 delays, with a maximum delay of 57 minutes and an average of 33 minutes. Officials noted a medium probability that the order could be extended.
The advisory was signed at 2011Z and is set to remain effective until 2200Z.
Nov 26, 2025 at 03:39 PM EST
White House locked down after gunfire in downtown D.C.
The White House was placed on lockdown on Wednesday afternoon after gunfire erupted in downtown Washington, D.C.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said officials are “aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation."
Nov 26, 2025 at 03:38 PM EST
Three gunshot victims taken to trauma centers after D.C. shooting
Three people wounded in a shooting near the White House were transported to area trauma centers, according to a spokesman for Washington’s fire department, Vito Maggiolo.
Nov 26, 2025 at 03:34 PM EST
Two National Guard members in critical condition after D.C. shooting: Report
Two National Guard members were critically wounded in a shooting near the White House on Wednesday, according to a law enforcement source who spoke to the Associated Press.
The suspect was also shot and is in custody, the AP reported. Emergency responders rushed to the scene at 17th and I Streets NW, where police cordoned off several blocks and transported victims to local hospitals.
Nov 26, 2025 at 03:28 PM EST
Trump responds after shooting of National Guard members near White House
President Donald Trump issued a statement on social media Wednesday after two National Guard members were critically wounded in a shooting near the White House.
In a post on X, Trump condemned the suspect, who was also reported to be injured and in custody. “The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen… will pay a very steep price,” Trump wrote, adding that both Guardsmen were being treated at separate hospitals.
Nov 26, 2025 at 03:28 PM EST
Judge rules National Guard deployment in D.C. likely unlawful
A federal judge last week ruled that the National Guard’s deployment in Washington, D.C.—which included many members from outside the district—was likely unlawful.
The court issued an order blocking the deployment but delayed its implementation for three weeks to avoid immediate disruptions to ongoing operations. The ruling is scheduled to take effect on December 11.
Nov 26, 2025 at 03:24 PM EST
Police: Suspect in custody after shooting near White House
Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police said Wednesday that a suspect has been taken into custody following a shooting near the White House.
“The scene is secured. One suspect is in custody,” the department announced in a post on X.
Authorities have cordoned off several blocks near 17th and I Streets NW as emergency responders remain on site. The identities and conditions of the victims, reported to be members of the National Guard, have not yet been released.
Nov 26, 2025 at 03:22 PM EST
Two National Guard members shot near White House, suspect in custody
Two members of the National Guard were shot near the White House on Wednesday afternoon, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed in a statement posted to social media.
The incident unfolded at the corner of 17th and I Streets NW, where police and emergency responders quickly surrounded the area and cordoned off several blocks. One apparent victim was seen being loaded into an ambulance with visible injuries.
Authorities said one suspect was taken into custody, though the condition and identities of the Guardsmen have not yet been released.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said officials are “aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation,” adding that President Trump, who is in Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday, has been briefed.
Secret Service agents and officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also on the scene as investigators worked to gather more information.
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