President Trump stated that the individual responsible for the shooting that resulted in the deaths of two National Guardsmen would “pay a very high price” and revealed that both soldiers faced severe injuries.
In a post made at 3:23 p.m. ET, Trump wrote, “The animal who shot and killed two National Guardsmen is seriously injured and currently being held in two separate hospitals, but he is seriously injured and will pay a very high price either way.”
He added, “God bless our great National Guard and all of our military and law enforcement. They truly are great people. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the President are with you!”
The incident took place near Farragut Square in northwest Washington, D.C., not far from the White House, in a bustling area filled with shops and restaurants. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, though local police confirmed one suspect is in custody.
During this time, President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance were outside D.C.; Trump was in Florida and Vance was visiting troops in Kentucky.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey (R) identified the two service members as belonging to the state’s National Guard. Initially, he mentioned that one had succumbed to injuries but later corrected that statement. Local officials have yet to confirm if the shooting turned fatal.
Morrissey shared on X, “We are currently receiving conflicting reports regarding the condition of the two guards and will provide additional updates once we have more complete information.”
“Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community,” he continued. It is still unclear whether there were additional victims in this incident, but witnesses noted over a dozen shell casings at the scene.
According to photos from the location, at least one National Guard member seemed to have suffered a head injury.
Law enforcement from the Washington D.C. Metro Police Department, FBI, ATF, and Secret Service all responded to the scene.
The White House is “aware of this tragic situation and is actively monitoring it,” according to press secretary Caroline Levitt, who also stated that the President has been informed.
Following the shooting, authorities temporarily grounded flights at Ronald Reagan National Airport in D.C. for safety reasons.
Since August 11, President Trump has deployed over 2,000 National Guard troops as part of an initiative aimed at reducing crime and improving the aesthetic appeal of Washington, D.C.
A federal judge recently mandated the withdrawal of the National Guard from D.C., though this order has been paused until December 11.
In September, D.C. filed a lawsuit against Trump, claiming his troop deployment was illegal without approval from Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Trump also made short-term deployments to Memphis, Chicago, and Portland, but those actions faced legal challenges.
