Two National Guard troops shot near White House possible 'act of terrorism'

Описание: Two National Guard troops shot near White House possible 'act of terrorism'

#breakingnews #america #nationalguard #washingtondc

The shooting of two National Guard troops blocks away from the White House in Washington DC will be investigated as a possible act of terrorism.

The two soldiers were critically wounded in “a targeted shooting” by a single gunman, who has been identified as an Afghan national. Officials have not yet confirmed all of the alleged shooter’s details. The gunman was arrested and taken to hospital with injuries.

Though a motive has not been determined, two senior US law enforcement officials told NBC News that the FBI will initially investigate the shooting as a possible act of terrorism.

At a press conference, Washington DC Metropolitan Police Executive Assistant Chief Jeffrey Carroll said the gunman “ambushed” his victims.

He “came around the corner, raised his arm with a firearm and discharged at the National Guard members”, Mr Carroll said.

“He was quickly taken into custody by other National Guard members and law enforcement.”

Initial reports were that the soldiers had been badly wounded, but there is confusion over whether the two survived the shooting.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey wrote on X that the two guards had “passed away from their injuries”, but 20 minutes later added he was receiving “conflicting reports” about their condition and “will provide additional updates once we receive more complete information”.

“Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community,” he added.

FBI Director Kash Patel has said the two guards are in a critical condition, but not dead.

Police in Washington said a suspect had been arrested and taken to hospital with injuries.

In an earlier post on X, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the shooting, and said her department was “working with local law enforcement to gather more information”.

“Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington DC,” Ms Noem wrote.

President Donald Trump, who is in Palm Beach, Florida, for Thanksgiving, also responded earlier to the shooting in a post on his Truth Social platform.

“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,” Mr Trump wrote.

“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!”

Members of the US Secret Service were photographed responding to the incident after a barrage of gunfire rang out near the Farragut Square, a popular and busy outdoor area about a five-minute walk from the White House.

Witnesses told one observer that the gunman fired at least seven shots, according to The New York Post.

Photos in the aftermath of the incident appeared to show one of the troops was struck in the head.

The shooting comes amid Mr Trump’s highly contentious deployment of National Guard troops to Democratic-run cities including Washington, Los Angeles and Memphis to combat crime and help enforce his crackdown on undocumented migrants.

Last Thursday, a federal judge ruled that the President’s deployment of thousands of troops in the US capital is unlawful.

His extraordinary domestic use of the Guard was also challenged by California earlier this year, after Mr Trump sent troops to LA to quell protests sparked by the rounding up of undocumented migrants.

In the wake of the shooting, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth doubled down on the presence of the National Guard, announcing the government will deploy 500 additional troops to Washington DC.

“This will only stiffen our resolve to ensure that we make Washington, DC safe and beautiful,” Mr Hegseth said.

The planned troop increase will bring the number of National Guard members in the city to more than 2500.

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