Two members of the U.S. National Guard were killed Wednesday after being shot in Washington, D.C., in an incident whose circumstances remain unknown. This was announced by the governor of West Virginia, the state from which the deceased were from, who described the incident as “tragic.”
Governor Patrick Morrisey wrote on X:
“With great sorrow, we confirm that the West Virginia National Guard members who were shot in Washington, D.C. have died as a result of their injuries.”
Earlier, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen had announced the injury of the two guards, urging citizens to pray for them. The D.C. police reported that a suspect was apprehended, while helicopters flew over the area amid extensive security mobilization.
Before the announcement of the soldiers’ deaths, President Donald Trump stated that their condition was “critical,” adding via Truth Social that “the animal who shot them… will pay a very heavy price.”
The D.C. police reported that three people were injured in the shooting and received necessary medical attention. Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt indicated that the administration is aware of this tragic situation and is closely monitoring it.
The National Guard has been deployed in Washington under orders from President Trump since August, with the number of personnel reaching 2,175 by mid-November, despite objections from local authorities who accuse the federal administration of overstepping its powers. This reinforcement is part of the president’s policy aimed at “fighting crime and supporting immigration enforcement,” according to previous statements.
