National Guard members in critical condition after shooting near the White House

“Violence has no place in America,” the former president wrote on social media. “Michelle and I are praying for the servicemembers shot in Washington, DC today, and send our love to their families as they enter this holiday season under the most tragic of circumstances.”

Morrisey called the shooting “an act of unspeakable violence” and vowed to ensure justice is served. In a brief video posted on social media, Morrisey said West Virginia and the president stand behind the guard.

“Our hearts, our thoughts, our prayers go out to the brave servicemembers, their families and the units who are enduring this terrible tragedy,” Morrisey said in the video posted on X.

The governor didn’t address his earlier X post, later walked back, saying both guard members had died. About 20 minutes after that post, Morrisey said his office was hearing conflicting information about the condition of the Guard members.

Investigators believe the suspect is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in September 2021 and has been living in Washington state, two law enforcement officials and a person familiar with the matter said.

The suspect has been identified by law enforcement officials as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, but authorities were still working to fully confirm his background, they said.

The people could not discuss details of an ongoing investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

Gen. Steven Nordhaus will leave Guantanamo Bay to be with Guard members in Washington, D.C., he and another official from the National Guard said in a video post on the social platform X.

“We are devastated by this senseless act of violence,” said Nordhaus. “And we will remain on station to defend and protect our fellow citizens at home and abroad.”

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

“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,” Schwalb added.

Schwalb brought the district’s lawsuit against the administration, which called the National Guard deployment illegal.

The attorney general had argued in court that it was unconstitutional for National Guard troops to be perpetually deployed to the district and has repeatedly said since the start of the federal intervention that the troops were better off in their home states.

“A suspect is now in custody following the tragic events in D.C. this afternoon,” the Republican House Speaker wrote on social media.

“Please join us in prayer for the National Guardsmen who were shot near the White House today, and pray with us for their loved ones too.”

Johnson added: “The National Guard has done heroic work this year working around the clock to make our nation’s capital safe again. We are forever grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement and for all those who risk their own lives to protect everyone else.”

Jeffery Carroll, an executive assistant chief at the Metropolitan Police Department, said that both National Guard members who were shot are “in critical condition” at a local DC hospital.

“It appears to be a lone gunman that raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard,” Carroll said. He added that the gunman was quickly taken into custody by National Guard members and law enforcement from MPD, the Secret Service and Metro Transit Police who were in the area.

“At this point, we have no other suspects,” Carroll told reporters.

Carroll said that law enforcement did not know what weapon was used to attack the National Guard members. When asked whether the suspect had been questioned about his motives or actions, Carroll said that the investigation was ongoing.

“We’re very preliminary in the investigation, so we’re looking into all aspects of who the individual is, his connections,” said Carroll.

Carroll said he had been told the National Guard members who were shot had been armed, but said who had shot the suspect was part of the investigation.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Donald Trump has asked him to add 500 more National Guard members to Washington, D.C., following the shooting of two Guard troops.

There are currently 2,188 troops assigned to the joint task force operating in the city, according to the latest update.

Hegseth, who was visiting the Dominican Republic, said two National Guard troops were critically wounded in the shooting Wednesday.

Jeffery Carroll, an executive assistant chief at the Metropolitan Police Department, said the suspect in custody for shooting two National Guard members “came around the corner” and “immediately started firing a firearm” at the troops, according to video reviewed by law enforcement.

Carroll said the National Guard in the area heard the gunfire and immediately responded.

Responding law enforcement were then able to “hold down the suspect after he had been shot.”

Law enforcement was reviewing surveillance video from the scene and believed the suspect approached the soldiers and pulled out a gun, said a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

At least one of the soldiers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, the official said. Investigators were trying to determine the gunman’s motive, including whether the suspect was targeting the troops for any specific reason, the official said.

The shooting happened roughly two blocks northwest of the White House.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey initially said that both members of the state’s National Guard who were shot near the White House had passed away in a post on X.

About 20 minutes later, Morrisey said that his office was hearing “conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members” in another post, but did not elaborate further.

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Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., speaks at the confirmation hearing of Stephen Feinberg, President Donald Trump’s choice to be deputy secretary of defense, at the Senate Armed Services Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

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Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., right, speaks during a news conference to address the shutdown, at the Capitol, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

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West Virginia Democratic Del. Mike Pushkin speaks in support of an opioid bill during a House Health and Human Resources Committee meeting on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, at the West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston, W.Va. The bill would require the private foundation in charge of distributing the majority of the state’s $1 billion in opioid settlement dollars to hold open meetings. (Perry Bennett/West Virginia Legislature via AP)

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• Sen. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, called the shooting “horrific” in a social media post. “I’m thinking of the families of these two National Guard members who lost their lives while serving the day before Thanksgiving. Thank you to the first responders who’ve brought a suspect into custody,” said Kelly, a veteran.
  
• Sen. Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, said “demonizing or vilifying law enforcement has consequences,” following the shooting. “If you see a service member, police officer, or a first responder this week, please thank them for putting their lives on the line to protect us. God bless,” added the senator.
• Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, a West Virginia Republican, posted on social media: “Terrible news out of D.C. I am following these reports closely and have been staying in close contact with @WVNationalGuard. Praying for the guardsmen, their families, and everyone impacted as we learn more.”
• West Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Mike Pushkin said the shooting “transcends party lines _ two families will now have to spend Thanksgiving in agony for their loved ones, who did nothing wrong and answered their call of duty.
  “We honor these soldiers’ service, sacrifice, and courage. We hope and pray for the best. These young men, and their brothers and sisters in uniform represent the very best of us and the very best of West Virginia.”

Two women exited the metro station just after the shots were fired, and someone told them: “run.”

Emma McDonald and Leila Christophertold the AP thatthey ran to a cafe and hunkered down with others, including one that told them they’d heard six gunshots in quick succession.

Several minutes later, McDonald saw an EMT truck pull up, and then responders rolling a stretcher carrying a National Guard member whosehead was covered in blood, she said. Eventually they were told the area was secured.

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Vice President JD Vance speaks during a visit to Fort Campbell, Ky., Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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Vice President JD Vance speaks to soldiers during a visit to Fort Campbell, Ky., Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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In Fort Campbell, Ky., Vice President JD Vance urged “everybody who’s a person of faith” to pray for the two National Guard members. He cautioned that much remained unknown, including the motive of the shooter.

“I think it’s a somber reminder that soldiers, whether they’re active duty, reserve or National Guard, our soldiers are the sword and the shield of the United States of America,” Vance said as he delivered a Thanksgiving message to troops.

In a message posted on social media, Senate Majority Leader John Thune wrote that his “thoughts and prayers are with the National Guardsmen who were attacked this afternoon.”

“I urge you to keep them in your prayers too,” he added.

Incoming flights to Reagan Washington National Airport were temporarily paused because of the locations of aircraft involved in responding to the shooting of two National Guard members, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Departing flights were not impacted and normal operations have now resumed.

The airport is located just outside of the federal district and is connected to the same rail line as the train station near where the shooting took place.

Other airports in the metropolitan area like Dulles International Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Airport were unaffected.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom denounced the killings of two National Guard members in the nation’s capital as “horrific and unacceptable” in a statement on social media.

“There must be zero tolerance for violence — of any kind — against the brave men and women in uniform who selflessly serve our communities and our country,” Newsom said.

“Jen and I are praying for the service members, their families, and the entire National Guard community,” the Democratic governor added.

Stacy Walters said she was near 17th Street in a car when she heard two gunshots, “boom boom,” and she noticed small children then others running.

Almost instantly law enforcement swarmed the area, she said.

“It’s such a beautiful day. Who would do this and we’re getting ready for the holidays?”

The shooting happened at the corner of 17th and H Streets in the northwest quadrant of the city.

Two West Virginia National Guard members shot Wednesday near the White House have died, the state’s governor said.

Governor Patrick Morrisey confirmed their deaths in a social media post.

“We are in ongoing contact with federal officials as the investigation continues,” he said.

A suspect who was in custody also was shot and has injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement official not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. One National Guard member was shot in the head, according to a person familiar with the details of the incident who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

The shooting happened at the corner of 17th and H Streets in the northwest quadrant of the city, roughly two blocks northwest of the White House.

Social media video shared from the immediate aftermath of the shooting showed first responders attempting CPR on one of the National Guard members and treating the other amid a glass-strewn sidewalk.

Other officers could be seen steps away restraining an individual on the ground.

The presence of the National Guard in the nation’s capital has fueled a court fight and a broader public policy debate about the Trump administration’s use of the military to combat what officials cast as an out-of-control crime problem.

Trump issued an emergency order in August that federalized the local police force and sent in National Guard troops from eight states and the District of Columbia. The order expired a month later but the troops remained.

The soldiers have patrolled neighborhoods, train stations and other locations, participated in highway checkpoints and also have also been assigned to trash pickup and to guard sports events.

Last week, a federal judge ordered an end to the deployment but also put her order on hold for 21 days to allow the Trump administration time to either remove the troops or appeal the decision.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on social media that he is “closely monitoring” the shooting and that his “heart breaks for the victims of this horrific shooting.”

President Trump, who is in Florida celebrating Thanksgiving, warned in a statement on social media that the “animal” who shot the Guard members “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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!”

“The White House is aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation. The President has been briefed,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Trump was at his West Palm Beach golf course when the shooting took place. He’s now back at Mar-a-Lago, where he was expected to spend the Thanksgiving holiday.

Emergency vehicles were seen responding to the area and at least one helicopter landed on the National Mall.

Police tape cordoned off the scene where emergency fire and police vehicles lights flashed and helicopter blades thudded overhead. Agents from the FBI, U.S. Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on scene, as National Guard troops stood sentry nearby.

Hundreds of National Guard members from the district and several states have been patrolling the nation’s capital after President Trump in August issued an emergency order in the capital, federalizing the local police force and sending in the guard from eight states and the District of Columbia.

A suspect is in custody in the shooting of National Guard members in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, police said.

Two guard soldiers were shot near the White House and their conditions aren’t immediately known, according to two law enforcement officials not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

Emergency vehicles were seen responding to the area and at least one helicopter landed on the National Mall.

Two National Guard soldiers were shot Wednesday near the White House and their conditions aren’t immediately known, according to a law enforcement official not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

Emergency vehicles were seen responding to the area. The Joint DC Task Force confirmed they were responding to an incident in the vicinity of the White House in the movements after reports of the shooting. However, the spokesperson wouldn’t immediately confirm or deny if any National Guard members had been shot.

The Metropolitan Police Department said they were responding to a shooting but didn’t immediately provide more information.

A spokesperson for Mayor Muriel Bowser said that local leaders were actively monitoring the situation.

President Donald Trump was at his West Palm Beach golf course when the shooting took place.

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After President Donald Trump’s reported intervention, Paramount Pictures is set to distribute Brett Ratner’s “Rush Hour 4,” a project that Hollywood had eschewed after earlier sexual misconduct allegations against the director.

Paramount Pictures on Tuesday was in closing talks to distribute the film, according to a person close to the negotiations who requested anonymity because they weren’t authorized to announce a deal. Paramount would be stepping in to take a distribution fee on the film, not finance it.

In 2017, during the #MeToo movement, six women said Ratner sexually harassed them in a Los Angeles Times report. Warner Bros., which had a $450-million co-financing deal with his production company, severed ties with Ratner. Ratner, who denied the allegations, hasn’t produced a film this decade.

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Democratic state attorneys general are suing the Trump administration to keep SNAP food aid from being taken away from groups of permanent residents in the U.S., including people granted asylum or admitted as refugees.

The top state government lawyers from 21 states and the District of Columbia say in Wednesday’s suit that the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued guidance to states in October calling for groups to be denied help from the food aid program even though Trump’s sweeping tax and policy law this summer didn’t specifically exclude them.

The states say the penalties for providing the benefits to excluded groups are so severe that they put states in danger of shutting down their SNAP programs entirely.

The filing in federal court in Oregon is the latest chapter in a battle over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which the administration tried to pause during the government shutdown.

A coalition of current, former and retired employees at the National Park Service is denouncing a plan by the Trump administration to charge international tourists an extra $100 to enter some of the most popular U.S. parks, on top of the normal entrance fee. Fees for an annual park pass will also jump to $250 for international visitors.

“In a year where national park staff have already been cut by nearly 25%, we worry this will be yet another burden for already overworked employees,’' said Emily Thompson, executive director of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks.

Parks attract millions of international visitors every year who are “an important economic driver for our parks,” Thompson added.

“National parks should be available and accessible to all, or America’s best idea will become America’s greatest shakedown,’' she said.

Although a series of cases once threatened to imperil Trump’s political career and personal liberty, the abandonment of the Georgia case is the latest reflection of how he has emerged mostly unscathed.

Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who had charged Trump with conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election and hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, dropped both cases after Trump won the White House last year. He cited longstanding Justice Department policy against the indictment of a sitting president.

And though Trump was convicted of felony charges in New York in connection with hush money payments during the 2016 election, he was sentenced in January to an unconditional discharge, leaving his conviction intact but sparing him any punishment.

“The political persecution of President Trump by disqualified DA Fani Willis is finally over,” attorney Steve Sadow said. “This case should never have been brought. A fair and impartial prosecutor has put an end to this lawfare.”

The nonpartisan Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia was tasked with replacing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the case after she was disqualified over an “appearance of impropriety” created by a romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she’d chosen to lead the case.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee set a Nov. 14 deadline for the appointment of a new prosecutor, so Pete Skandalakis, executive director for the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia chose to appoint himself rather than allowing the case to be dismissed.

“Several prosecutors were contacted and, while all were respectful and professional, each declined the appointment,” Skandalakis said in an emailed statement.

The prosecutor who recently took over the Georgia election interference case against Trump and others said in a court filing Wednesday that he has decided not to pursue the case further.

Pete Skandalakis, the executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, took over the case earlier this month from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who was removed over an “appearance of impropriety” created by a romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she chose to lead the case.

It was unlikely that legal action against Trump could have moved forward while he is president. But 14 other defendants still faced charges, including former New York mayor and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.