Shooting Near White House Injures 2 National Guardsmen, Suspect Caught/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Two National Guard soldiers were shot near the White House on Wednesday, prompting a swift response from emergency services. Their conditions remain unknown, and a suspect is in custody. The incident occurred amid a heightened security presence in Washington, D.C., following a federal emergency order by President Trump.
White House Shooting Incident Quick Looks
- Two National Guard members shot near White House
- Suspect in custody, identities not yet released
- Conditions of the wounded soldiers remain unknown
- Emergency crews and helicopter responded to the scene
- Joint DC Task Force confirmed active investigation
- Mayor Bowser and city officials monitoring situation
- Trump was at Florida golf course at time
- White House says President was briefed immediately
- Guard troops deployed earlier under federal emergency order
- Security remains high in capital ahead of holiday
Deep Look
Two National Guard Soldiers Shot in Washington D.C., Authorities Investigate Motive
A shooting near the White House on Wednesday afternoon left two National Guard members wounded and sent shockwaves through Washington, D.C., just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Law enforcement officials confirmed that a suspect is in custody, though the motive and circumstances behind the attack are still under investigation.
The two soldiers, whose identities and conditions have not yet been made public, were stationed near the White House when the incident occurred. According to two law enforcement officials speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press, the shooting happened in close proximity to the National Mall, a high-security area patrolled heavily by law enforcement and military personnel.
Eyewitnesses reported a flurry of emergency activity shortly after the shots were fired. Multiple emergency vehicles converged on the area, and at least one helicopter was seen landing on the National Mall, suggesting the gravity of the situation.
The Joint D.C. Task Force, responsible for coordinating between local and federal law enforcement in high-security areas, confirmed that it was responding to an active incident. However, officials declined to confirm whether National Guard troops were directly involved, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
The Metropolitan Police Department also acknowledged it was responding to a shooting in the area but did not release further details.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office said city officials were actively monitoring developments. The mayor remained in the capital as the situation unfolded.
President Donald Trump was at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, when the shooting occurred. The White House released a brief statement shortly afterward, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirming that the President had been fully briefed and that the administration was closely following the situation.
“The White House is aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation,” said Leavitt. “The President has been briefed.”
Security across the capital has remained tight in recent months following Trump’s emergency order in August 2025. The order federalized D.C.’s local police forces and brought in National Guard units from eight different states, in addition to local Guard members from the District of Columbia. The move was made in response to mounting unrest and threats of political violence, particularly around key federal sites.
Hundreds of National Guard personnel have since been stationed around major landmarks and government buildings, including the White House and Capitol Hill. Their presence has been highly visible in recent weeks as officials brace for a volatile political climate and large gatherings over the holidays.
Photos from Wednesday afternoon show National Guard members patrolling near the Capitol, just hours after the shooting occurred. Security experts say the incident underscores the risk posed even in heavily guarded zones, and raises new questions about security protocols and potential threats to uniformed personnel.
Officials have not yet released information about the suspect, including whether the attack was targeted or random. The FBI and Secret Service are reportedly assisting in the investigation, and further updates are expected once the victims’ families are notified and more facts are confirmed.
The incident adds to a growing list of security concerns in the capital this year, as authorities balance civil liberty concerns with the need for heightened enforcement. As the nation prepares for the Thanksgiving holiday, this attack on service members highlights the continued volatility in even the most protected areas of the country.
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