DC Shooting latest update: Two National Guard members in critical condition after shooting near White House, Trump to…

Washington, DC: Several people were shot on Wednesday (local time) in downtown Washington, DC, and among the wounded are at least two members of the US National Guard, CNN reported, citing a source familiar with early reports. Police confirmed the shooting happened near the White House, and the city’s Metropolitan Police urged everyone to avoid the area while officers responded to the incident.

The two soldiers who were wounded are both members of the West Virginia National Guard and were serving in Washington, D.C. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that both soldiers are currently hospitalised with critical injuries, while Mayor Muriel Bowser stated that both guards were attacked on purpose and shot. President Trump has released a statement regarding the shooting incident.

What did Trump say following the shooting incident?

Following the incident, United States President Doland Trump wrote on Truth Social, “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. 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!”

Sharing a post on X, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb wrote, “Violence is never the answer and must be swiftly condemned by all. 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.”

As per the police officials, the guardsmen were engaged in, “high visibility patrols” at the time of the shooting, and the police said the shooter was subdued and detained.

How did Former US President Joe Biden react?

Former President Joe Biden condemned Wednesday’s shooting, stating, Violence, in any form, is not acceptable. “Jill and I are heartbroken that two members of the National Guard were shot outside the White House. 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 wrote on X.

Why is Trump sending 500 more National Guard troops to DC?

Following the shooting of two Guardsmen near the White House, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth announced that President Doland Trump has directed the deployment of 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington, DC.

Has FBI identified the suspect?

According to multiple sources provided to CNN by officials with knowledge of the incident, the FBI believes they have identified a suspect who has been accused of shooting two National Guard members today.

The law enforcement officials stated that the shooter’s preliminary identification matches that of a man from Washington state who appears to have immigrated to the U.S. from Afghanistan in August 2021, CNN reported. Authorities ran the fingerprints of the man in custody, which led them to his preliminary identification, a law enforcement official said, adding that further confirmation is still underway.