At least two people suffered injuries in a shooting incident in Washington, just a few blocks from the White House, US media reported.
The victims are members of the National Guard, the US Secretary of Homeland Security clarified. “Please pray with me for the two National Guard members who were shot just a short time ago in Washington,” she wrote in a post on the X platform.
Strong police forces, National Guard members, and FBI agents cordoned off the area and arrested a suspect.
An AFP journalist reported that, according to information from rescuers, three injured people received first aid at the scene. It remains unclear whether the suspect, now in custody, is among them.
US President Donald Trump, currently in Florida for Thanksgiving, has been briefed on the incident, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt told journalists.
The attack occurred around 2:15 p.m. near Farragut West Metro station when a lone gunman ambushed the two West Virginia National Guard soldiers on patrol. Officials described it as a targeted ambush. The suspect, identified as an Afghan national who entered the US in 2021 and received asylum in 2025, exchanged fire with the guardsmen before being subdued and hospitalised with gunshot wounds.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser called the shooting a “targeted” act of evil. Trump labelled it a “savage attack” in a video address from Palm Beach, urging prayers for the victims. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an additional 500 National Guard troops will deploy to Washington.
The two guardsmen remain in critical condition. A motive has not been established.
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