2 National Guard troops shot near White House; suspect is in custody (UPDATED)
A shooting near the White House led to two National Guard troops from West Virginia being shot and hospitalized in critical condition.
The Metropolitan Police Department said the scene was secured and a suspect was in custody.
'[We] heard multiple shots fired as we passed Farragut West. A member of the National Guard fell while others rushed onto the scene.'
A White House correspondent for NTD News said she witnessed the shooting.
"National Guard shot near the White House at a little before 2:15," Mari Otsu said on a social media post.
"I was in an Uber to work, with my cameraman, and heard multiple shots fired as we passed Farragut West. A member of the National Guard fell while others rushed onto the scene," she added.
"Area still on lockdown and Secret Service being deployed," Otsu wrote.
She added a video of the law enforcement response to the area.
President Donald Trump had ordered a surge of troops into D.C. in order to combat the violent crime rampant in the area. The order was met with legal challenges from critics who accused him of acting unlawfully.
Department of Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem confirmed the shooting on social media.
"Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington D.C.," she wrote on social media. "@DHSgov is working with local law enforcement to gather more information."
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey released a statement confirming that the two guardsmen had died, but that was contradicted later by FBI Director Kash Patel.
"It is with great sorrow that we can confirm both members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot earlier today in Washington, DC have passed away from their injuries," he posted on social media.
Patel indicated that the troops were in critical condition.
"Please send your prayers to those brave warriors who are in critical condition and their families. They're here serving our country. They are here protecting everyday Americans and citizens around the world in our nation's capital," he said.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, admitted that the troop surge lessened crime in the district, but she was immediately assailed by other Democrats who were angry that she credited the president. She has since announced she is not seeking re-election.
Editor's note: This article has been edited after publication to add a statement from the West Virginia governor as well as FBI Director Kash Patel and to update the headline.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Originally Published at Daily Wire, Daily Signal, or The Blaze
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
