A National Guard member was shot near the White House in Washington, DC, and has died, while the other is critically injured, according to a statement from the White House. The incident occurred on Monday evening near the Ellipse, a short distance from the White House and the Capitol. The National Guard member, who was on duty, was shot and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The other National Guard member, who was also on duty, was transported to a medical facility in critical condition. The White House has confirmed the deaths and injuries, with President Donald Trump expressing his condolences and calling for further investigation.
The FBI has launched a terrorism investigation into the shooting, pending results of the initial inquiry. The agency is examining whether the shooting was the result of a targeted attack, a terrorist act, or another type of crime. Federal law enforcement officials have been deployed to the scene and are working closely with local authorities to determine the circumstances of the shooting. The incident has raised concerns about security in the nation’s capital and has prompted calls for increased security measures at key government sites.
President Trump’s comments on the incident reflect the administration’s ongoing focus on domestic security and law enforcement. The statement from the White House indicates that the incident is being taken seriously, with officials emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the shooting. The National Guard, which is part of the U.S. military, has been deployed to Washington, DC, on multiple occasions in recent years to provide additional security at major events and government facilities. The shooting has reignited discussions about the role of the National Guard in the country’s security infrastructure and the potential risks associated with such deployments.