Two National Guard members are in critical condition after a shooting near the White House, a source tells the AP. Washington, DC, police said a suspect was in custody by 3pm, the Washington Post reports. According to the AP's source, the suspect was also shot and has injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. Emergency vehicles were seen responding to the area and at least one helicopter landed on the National Mall. After the shooting, the FAA said a ground stop had been issued at Ronald Reagan National Airport "due to security," reports NBC News.
President Trump was at his West Palm Beach golf course when the shooting took place, the AP reports. "The White House is aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation. The President has been briefed," said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Trump responded in a post on Truth Social:
- "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!"
Hundreds of National Guard members from the district and several states have been patrolling the nation's capital after Trump in August issued an emergency order in the capital, federalizing the local police force and sending in the guard from eight states and the District of Columbia.