Washington: Two West Virginia National Guard members deployed to the nation’s capital were shot Wednesday afternoon just blocks from the White House, said officials
Law enforcement quickly detained a suspect who also sustained gunshot injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case publicly.
FBI Director Kash Patel called the incident “a matter of national security,” signaling that the investigation will involve multiple federal agencies.
President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as “an act of terror,” asserting that the alleged perpetrator “entered our country from Afghanistan.” He vowed that the attacker “will pay a steep price.”
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services later announced on social media that all immigration processing related to Afghan nationals has been suspended indefinitely, citing the ongoing investigation.
According to officials familiar with the case, the suspect arrived in the United States in 2021 through a refugee program established for Afghans fleeing the Taliban takeover.
Authorities have not released the suspect’s identity, and the motive for the attack remains under investigation.
The National Guard members were in the area as part of a deployment supporting security operations in the capital. Officials said updates on their condition will be provided as more information becomes available.
Trump’s Statement:
Trump wrote on his truth social media account, “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”.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 26, 2025
He further 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!
President Donald Trump was in Florida at the time of the attack, which prompted the White House to go into lockdown as law enforcement from multiple federal and city agencies swarmed the area.
