Two National Guard soldiers critically wounded in targeted shooting near White House, suspect in custody amid political controversy over troop deployments
WASHINGTON: Two US National Guard soldiers were critically wounded in a targeted shooting near the White House on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at the Farragut West metro station, just two blocks from the presidential residence, during mid-afternoon hours.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed a single assailant carried out the attack and has been taken into custody.
Multiple media outlets reported the alleged shooter was a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021.
CBS News reported the suspect used a handgun to carry out the attack, while NBC News sources said the shooting was being investigated as possible terrorism.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed both soldiers remained in critical condition following the shooting.
Washington police assistant chief Jeffery Carroll said the gunman “ambushed” his victims, coming around a corner and firing at the National Guard members.
“He was quickly taken into custody by other National Guard members and law enforcement,” Carroll stated.
An AFP reporter near the scene heard several loud pops and saw people running from the area.
Dozens of bystanders were caught in the chaos, with one witness describing National Guard members running toward the metro with weapons drawn.
Security agents immediately flooded the area, establishing a perimeter while a helicopter circled overhead.
Emergency crews were seen transporting a casualty wearing camouflage on a wheeled stretcher into an ambulance.
The soldiers were part of a militarized anti-crime deployment ordered by President Donald Trump in several Democratic-run cities.
Trump, who was at his Florida golf club during the incident, described the shooter as an “animal” on his Truth Social platform.
The president stated the suspect “is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced 500 additional troops would deploy to Washington following the shooting, bringing the total to 2,500.
The troop deployments have prompted bitter complaints from local officials and are subject to numerous court challenges.
A federal judge ruled last Thursday that Trump’s deployment of thousands of National Guard troops in the US capital is unlawful.
Former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe told CNN that National Guard soldiers lack proper law enforcement training.
“That adds, I think, a real wild card element to this thing,” McCabe said regarding how troops might respond to violent incidents. – AFP
