Yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025), around 2:15 p.m. ET 🚨 two National Guard soldiers were shot in a targeted ambush near the White House, triggering a lockdown as federal and local law enforcement swarmed the area.
The soldiers were part of a high-visibility patrol near 17th and I streets when the suspect rounded a corner and opened fire, Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll said. After an exchange of gunfire, Guard members subdued the attacker, who remains in custody with gunshot wounds. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed both soldiers are in critical condition at local hospitals.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser described it as a "targeted attack," and while the motive is still under investigation, officials believe the shooter acted alone. The identities of the victims and suspect have not been released.
Witnesses at Farragut Square, a bustling lunch spot just a few blocks away, recalled a chaotic scene: pedestrians scattering as shots rang out, first-hand accounts of the moment the patrol was ambushed, and desperate attempts to help the wounded. Mike Ryan, 55, said he ducked for cover and later saw fellow Guard members pin the suspect to the ground. Emma McDonald witnessed a soldier being carried off on a stretcher, head bleeding and chest compressions underway.
The shooting comes as the capital prepares for Thanksgiving tomorrow. President Donald Trump was at his Palm Beach resort and posted on social media, calling the shooter an "animal" who would "pay a very steep price", while praising the National Guard. Vice President JD Vance was in Kentucky at the time of the shooting.
Guard troops have been stationed in Washington since August, part of an immigration and crime crackdown that deployed about 2,200 soldiers from several states. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters Trump has requested 500 more troops in the wake of the incident.
As law enforcement continues to piece together the motive, the city remains on high alert. For now, questions linger: why was this patrol targeted, and will this prompt new security measures around the White House? Stay tuned for updates 🔍
Reference(s):
National Guard soldiers shot in 'targeted' attack near White House
cgtn.com
