Two National Guard members from West Virginia are in critical condition after being shot near the White House, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed during a press conference Wednesday evening.
The big picture: President Trump in a Wednesday night address said the Guard members were "shot at point-blank range" in the Wednesday afternoon attack by an Afghan national who was "flown in by the Biden administration" in a September 2021 refugee program.
- He directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy an additional 500 National Guard members and his administration on Wednesday night indefinitely paused processing immigration requests from Afghan nationals with immediate effect.
Zoom in: The shooting happened about 2:15pm ET near the Farragut West metro station, about a five-minute walk north of the White House.
- Washington Metropolitan Police Department executive assistant chief Jeffrey Carroll said the National Guard members were armed at the time of the shooting.
- The D.C. Police Department declared the scene to be safe about 3pm ET and said one suspect was in custody.
- D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser called the act of violence a "targeted shooting" by one individual.
- U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said Wednesday evening in social media posts: "I visited our injured National Guardsmen in the hospital today. My heart breaks for them, their families, and those impacted by the horrific attack in our Nation's capital."
What we know about the suspect: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on X Wednesday night that the suspect had arrived in the U.S. on Sept. 8, 2021, following the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
- She said he arrived under then-President Biden's "Operation Allies Welcome" program, which was designed to support vulnerable Afghan refugees.
What we're watching: Hegseth told reporters earlier on Wednesday that Trump requested 500 additional National Guard members be sent to the nation's capital to keep D.C. "safe and beautiful."
- "We have received the request and will rapidly execute" what Trump asked for, an Army official told Axios.
By the numbers: Nearly 2,200 National Guard troops were deployed in D.C. as of Tuesday, including 180 from West Virginia.
State of play: West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey initially announced on X that both Guard members had died. But 20 minutes later he said he was receiving "conflicting reports" about the Guard members' conditions.
- "We are in ongoing contact with federal officials as the investigation continues," Morrisey said. "Our entire state grieves with their families, their loved ones, and the Guard community."
- The FBI is assisting with the ongoing investigation, Patel said on X, adding that updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
What they're saying: Trump on Truth Social said the suspect was also "severely wounded" during the attack and will "pay a very steep price."
- Trump has previously called for the death penalty for murders in D.C.
- "God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement," Trump said. "I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!"
- The president left the White House Tuesday evening to celebrate Thanksgiving at his Palm Beach home and was not present during the time of the shooting.
More from Axios:
- National Guard shooting in D.C. draws condemnation from Trump, lawmakers
- Trump wants another 500 National Guard in D.C. after shooting near White House
- Trump admin cracks down on Afghan immigrants after National Guard shooting
- Trump files emergency appeal to keep National Guard in D.C. after shooting
Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and has been updated to include statements from Governor Morrisey, FBI Director Patel and Mayor Bowser on the condition of the Guard members.
