The White House has reportedly been placed on lockdown after two US national guard members were shot on Wednesday in Washington DC, sparking heightened security concerns.
The incident happened near the Farragut metro station and comes amid a controversial troop deployment to Washington ordered by President Donald Trump.
In an X post, the DC Metropolitan Police said they were at the crime scene and advised people to avoid the area.
USA Today reports that the White House, the Main Treasury, Freedman’s Bank Building, and other government buildings were under lockdown following the incident.
‘CONFLICTING REPORTS’
Patrick Morsey, West Virginia’s governor, had initially tweeted that the guardsmen did not survive the shooting.
“It is with great sorrow that we can confirm both members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot earlier today in Washington, DC have passed away from their injuries,” Morsey posted on his X account.
“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.”
A few hours later, the governor said he was receiving “conflicting” reports about the condition of the guardsmen, and promised to share “more complete information”.
“We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members 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,” Morsey said.
WHITE HOUSE MONITORING ‘TRAGIC SITUATION’
Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, said, Trump has been briefed on the incident.
“The White House is aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation,” Leavitt said in a statement.
National guard troops have been in Washington DC for months as part of Trump’s anti-crime crackdown in the nation’s capital.
State governors have since criticised the deployment, terming it as “cruel and purposefully inflammatory”.
Editor’s note: This report has been modified to reflect the West Virginia governor’s latest update about the national guardsmen
