After being reported dead, new reports confirmed that the two National Guard troops shot near the White House on Wednesday are in critical condition. The suspect, who sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange, is in custody.

Series of events

The attack occurred around 2:15 p.m. local time near the intersection of 17th and I Streets NW, just a few blocks from the White House. President Donald Trump was in Florida at the time of the incident, which prompted a temporary White House lockdown and a large-scale response from federal and local law enforcement agencies.

The soldiers were participating in a high-visibility patrol when the suspect approached and opened fire, according to Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll. Following an exchange of gunfire, other Guard members subdued the attacker.

Both injured soldiers were taken to nearby hospitals and are in critical condition, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed.

“This is a targeted attack,” Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said during a press briefing.

Eyewitness testimonies 

The shooting took place near Farragut Square, a busy area filled with office workers and holiday decorations. Witnesses described scenes of panic as people fled the area.

Mike Ryan, 55, said he was nearby when he heard multiple rounds of gunfire. “I ran half a block and then heard more shots,” he recounted. When he returned, he saw two Guard members lying on the ground, with bystanders attempting to resuscitate one of them. Other Guard soldiers had pinned the suspect down, he added.

Emma McDonald, another witness, saw one of the victims being placed on a stretcher, with visible head injuries and a chest compression device in use.

Suspect believed to have acted alone

Officials said the motive remains under investigation, but initial assessments suggest the suspect acted alone. While the suspect has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the US in 2021, the identities of the victims have not yet been released.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially announced that both soldiers had died, but later retracted the statement, citing conflicting reports about their condition.

Trump reacts, orders additional guard deployment

In a social media post, President Trump referred to the attacker as an “animal” and vowed that the suspect would “pay a very steep price.” He praised the National Guard for their response and resilience.

Following the incident, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that Trump had requested the deployment of 500 additional Guard soldiers to Washington.

Context: National Guard Deployment 

The National Guard presence in Washington dates back to August, when President Trump ordered deployments as part of his broader crackdown on crime and immigration in Democratic-led cities. As of Wednesday, around 2,200 Guard troops were stationed in the capital, including personnel from the District of Columbia, West Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama, and Ohio.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the deployment has sharply reduced crime in the city, an assertion widely disputed by local officials and criticized by Democratic lawmakers.

Read more: Trump sends National Guard to address 'rising crime' in DC