Note To Our Readers: At the time the original article was written, reports indicated that both Guardsmen had died. It was later revealed that they were both in critical condition, though one succumbed to her injuries shortly after the fact.
The two National Guard members who were shot in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday afternoon have both died, according to multiple reports.
CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang reported it was an “ambush attack,” according to two federal law enforcement sources.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey (R) posted the following on X about the murdered troops:
“It is with great sorrow that we can confirm both members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot earlier today in Washington, D.C. have passed away from their injuries. These brave West Virginians lost their lives in the service of their country. We are in ongoing contact with federal officials as the investigation continues.
“Our entire state grieves with their families, their loved ones, and the Guard community. West Virginia will never forget their service or their sacrifice, and we will demand full accountability for this horrific act.”
President Donald Trump slammed the “animal” that is in custody for allegedly shooting two National Guard members near the White House on Wednesday. Trump claimed the suspect is “severely wounded” and added that the shooting victims were also “critically wounded.”
Trump posted to his Truth Social account:
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. 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!
Fox News Washington correspondent Mark Meredith, who reported live from the scene, said it was “pure chaos,” with cops, troops, and firemen both patrolling and securing the area.
Meredith reported he saw four troops “standing in disbelief, trying to understand what happened to two of their colleagues.”
The White House was locked down in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, which happened just a block away from the building. President Trump was in Florida to celebrate Thanksgiving when the shooting happened.
“God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People,” Trump said in his aforementioned post. “I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!”
This article originally appeared on Official Trump Tracker. It is republished with permission.
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